News04 Mar 2008


Injury rules reigning World Indoor champion Bungei out of Valencia

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Wilfred Bungei wins at the GE Galan (© Hasse Sjögren)

Nairobi, KenyaThe reigning World Indoor 800m champion Wilfred Bungei has pulled out of this weekend’s 12th IAAF World Indoor Championships, Valencia, Spain (7 – 9 March), due to injury.

Athletics Kenya assistant secretary Ibrahim Hussein said in a brief statement that Bungei suffered a freak muscle injury to his right leg while in training at the Nyayo National Stadium on Monday (3), and was ruled out of competition after being examined by doctors today (4).

Bungei had hoped on Monday he would recover in time to make the trip but it was not to be.

“This is the worst thing to happen to me. I was doing my usual training when I pulled the muscle. It was really painful and I had to stop running immediately,” Bungei told reporters on Monday.

But today he was resigned to missing the champs. “I am absolutely disappointed. Just when I thought the scare was behind me, the stubborn problem resurfaced again. In fact, I just wanted to train for one hour but I haven’t done even half of it. I feel deflated that I will not defend my title in Valencia. You can imagine how I am feeling now.”
 
“I cannot just wish away this pain and travel to Valencia. I feel the pressure to deliver the title and give my countrymen and women another reason to celebrate after the power-sharing deal brokered here last week. But I am confident members of the team will take the onus and do the country proud.“

Peter Njenga and Saddique Shaaban for the IAAF

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