Yomog Meje
Great comebacks from veterans Vivian Cheruiyot and Ezekiel Kemboi propelled Kenya to the top of the medal standings at the close of the third day of the 2015 IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China.
Cheruiyot out-sprinted a pack of 10 athletes on the last lap of the women’s 10,000m to win her fourth World Championships gold medal – after winning the 5000m in Berlin 2009 and the 5000m and 10,000m double in Daegu 2011 – on Monday August 24, 2015.
The Kenyan also won the silver and bronze medals in the 5000m and 10,000m respectively at the London 2012 Olympic Games before taking time out for the birth of her first baby.
She returned to the world stage in Beijing 2015 to take the gold again in 31:41.31 ahead of Ethiopian Gelete Burka, who was second in 31:41.77, and Americans Emily Infeld, who edged her team-mate Molly Huddle for the bronze medal in 31:43.49 to 31:43.58.
Olympic silver medallist Sally Jepkosgei Kipyego settled for a fifth place finish in a season best of 31:44.42 after two years out with injury.
After the race, a elated Vivian Cheruiyot said: “This is my real comeback. I had many thoughts in my head during the race but I told myself I want to win no matter how hard it is.
“To go take a maternity break and comeback strongly and win world gold is not easy. The pace was slow but I was coming to do my best. Gelete has a strong kick and I was saying if she comes I will use my best until my finishing point and it worked.”
Kemboi led Kenyan Steeple sweep
Ezekiel Kemboi during day three of the 15th IAAF World Athletics Championships Beijing 2015 on August 24, 2015 / Photo credit: Getty Images for the IAAF
Ezekiel Kemboi proved his championship credential once again by taking his fourth consecutive world title and seventh straight medal at the IAAF World Championships.
Kemboi’s gallant race to a record fourth steeplechase victory in 8:11.28 marked a historic 1-2-3-4 sweep of the men’s steeple by the Kenyans with Consenslus Kipruto, Brimin Kipruto and Jairus Birech in tow.
2013 world silver medallist Conseslus Kipruto took the silver medal in 8:12.38 while the 2007 world champion Brimin Kipruto completed the podium with the bronze medal in 8:12.51. Diamond League leader Jairus Birech finished fourth in 8:12.62.
“I wanted to break my coach’s (Moses Kiptanui) record good to make history and also ensure Kenya remain in the history book by winning 1-2-3-4,” said a dancing Kemboi after the race. “It is good to see one flag raised for all the medallists.”
“I am very happy I wanted to make history as the best steeplechaser in the world. It was a strong race but the good thing we maintained the pace but I never went in front, only in the last 400m. On the last lap I knew nobody could follow me.”
“My next big goal of course are the Rio 2016 Olympics,” he added.
