ATHLETICS: Kemboi, Bosibori lead the hunt for gold

The Kenya men may be the kings of the 3,000m steeplechase, but this is not the case in the women’s version of the race even if this is only the second time it is featuring in the World Championships.

In Helsinki, where it was first introduced, Kenya’s best was a bronze medal, won by Jeruto Kiptum. Salome Chepchumba, the other Kenyan in this inaugural race two years ago, returned fifth. 

Uganda’s Dorcas Inzikuru who won gold, is not here to defend it but the Kenyan girls Eunice Jepkorir and Ruth Bosibori have plenty to do if they are to establish dominance in this event as is the case with the men.

Take fight to opponents

While Jepkorir looked comfortable qualifying top in her heat, Bosibori barely made it as one of the fastest finishers. However, she is willing to take the fight to her opponents in her bid to bring home Kenya’s first gold in the women’s event. 

“It will be a tough race but will do my best,” she told the Daily Nation after the team met with Sports minister Maina Kamanda yesterday.

The men, meanwhile, were looking to claim back the gold after losing to it Qatar’s Saeed Shaif Shaheen who won twice in succession in Paris (2003) and Helsinki two years later. On both occasions, the Kenyan-turned Qatari left Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi to pick up the silver crumbs.

Shaheen is not here to defend the title having been injured but Richard Matelong, who clocked 8:29.49 to qualify at the top of his heat yesterday, said there is still a big threat to Kenya’s gold ambitions not just from the defectors to the Gulf such as Taher Mubarak but also from some European runners.

“We know about our brothers who now run for Qatar and Bahrain but there is also a big threat from such countries as Sweden and we must look out for them,” he told the Daily Nation at the end of his qualifying race. Kemboi’s heat was an eventful one. 

First Kemboi was sent sprawling to the ground after he got his heels clipped in the third lap. He recovered to finish third in a time of 8:20.08.

“It was under control. In the final, Kenya will run as at team, not as individuals. We want to be the best,” he said after the race.

After Kemboi’s fall, Austrian Gunther was hospitalised with a suspected broken jaw after a sickening fall in which he smashed his face into one of  the obstacles after another mass tumble.

Brimin Kipruto had no such problems as he stormed home ahead of the field in his heat to qualify for the next stage. In 800m, Commonwealth champion Janeth Jepkosgei was in imperious form as she posted the world leading time of the season (1:56.17) to qualify for the final in grand style ahead of Mozambique’s Maria Mutola who came in third.

“I just wanted to be in the final but when I saw the time, I was surprised. It’s a national record and the world leading time this season,” she said.

Watching her lead from start to finish, it looked like a walk in the park. She’s now two laps away from being a world champion and that will be decided tomorrow. 

In 10,000m, Ethiopian world record holder Kenenisa Bekele will also be bidding for a third successive title today. Bekele would move into exclusive company with a victory. Only compatriot Haile Gebrselassie, with four 10,000 metres gold medals, has won more championships in the event. 

Sweltering heat and high humidity are expected to slow times.

Bekele dropped out of the world cross country championships 12,000 metres race in similar conditions in Mombasa, Kenya, in March.

The title went to Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadesse, who along with double world 10,000 metres silver medallist Sileshi Sihine of Ethiopia, is expected to be Bekele’s biggest challenger.

Additional reporting by Reuters