Ezekiel Kemboi wins the 3000m Steeplechase at the Kenyan Trials (© Ricky Simms)
As expected, a relatively new look Kenyan team was unveiled on Saturday (28) during the national trials for the Osaka World Championships at the Nyayo National Stadium when age finally appeared to have caught up with stars of yesteryear.
Kemboi beats off double threat
But one man who was smiling a lot was the 2004 Olympic 3000 metres Steeplechase champion Ezekiel Kemboi who finally shrugged off the ghosts of World Junior champion Willy Komen, who defeated him at last week’s All Africa Games in Algiers, and Richard Matelong who had beaten him to the Kenyan Police Services title in late May at home in Nairobi.
Kemboi announced his return and took the gold medal he has been chasing since 2003. Kemboi's tactics over the last water jump paid off when he managed to overcome the fast rising Matelong, and he went on to win in 8:17.52, followed by Brimin Kipruto (8:18.19), who finished behind him in Athens, and Matelong (8:18.44).
2000 Olympics champion Reuben Kosgei earned him a fourth place having lead until the later stages of the race. Komen dropped out early after falling.
Kiprop, 18, wins the 1500m
World Junior Cross Country champion Asbel Kiprop thrust one finger in the air to salute yet another deserved win in the 1500m which he won in 3:35.50.
Kiprop, the All Africa Games champion, beat Shadrack Korir and Daniel Kipchirchir Komen in a sprint finish which he initiated from 100m to go to the finish. The silver and bronze medallists finished in 3:36.10 and 3:36.40.
"I am happy today, very, and I look forward to real competition after overcoming this hurdle," said Kiprop.
"This is a man to watch and I can see a champion in the making even if it will not be in Osaka," said Yobes Ondieki, winner of the 5000m in Tokyo World Championships 16 years ago.
10,000 provides a thriller, as expected
Josephat Ndambiri won a thrilling 10,000m final ahead of his Japan-based colleague Martin Mathathi, the 2006 long course bronze medallist at the World Cross Country Championships.
Yet the race maker was World Half Marathon record holder Sammy Kamau Wanjiru who engaged the entire field in a cat and mouse race by taking the lead at will before stalling the pace until the last four laps when he appeared unable to respond to the challenge from the rest.
Ndambiri who posted 28:09.0 owed his victory to Wanjiru who ended-up fourth and said he is just recovering from a bout of malaria. Mathathi in second (28:12.4) walked off the track limping with blisters, while Kiprono Menjo took third in 28:18.1.
Songok triumphant
Isaac Songok made a triumphant return to domestic competition for the first time since last year by easily winning the 5000m in which the former World champion Eliud Kipchoge acted as the unofficial pace throughout. He clocked 13:20.00 followed by Joseph Ebuya (13:20.40) and Kipchoge (13:24.40). Twice winner of the World Cross short course race, John Kibowen, was fifth.
Jepkosgei takes expected win
As expected, Commonwealth Games champion Janeth Jepkosgei won the women’s 800m in 2:01.84, while Wilfred Bungei was first home in the men's two lap race in 1:46.60, an encouraging performance as the World Indoor champion is recovering from a recent leg injury.
Eunice Jepkorir took the women’s 3000m Steeplechase in 9:42.48.
Peter Njenga (Kenya Times) for the IAAF
Click here for Kenya's team selection for Osaka
Results
Men
800m
1: Wilfred Bungei, 1:46.60
2: Justua Koech, 1:47.35
3: Alfred Kirwa, 1:47.63
1500m
1: Asbel Kiprop, 3:35.50
2: Shadrack Korir, 3:36.10
3: Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, 3:36.40
5000m
1: Isaac Songok, 13:20.0
2: Joseph Ebuya, 13:20.40
3: Eliud Kipchoge, 13:24.40
10,000m
1: Josephat Muchiri Ndambuki, 28:09.0
2: Martin Mathathi, 28:12.4
3: Kiprono Menjo,28:18.1
3000m Steeplechase
1: Ezekiel Kemboi, 8:17.52
2: Brimin Kipruto, 8:18.19
3: Richard Matelong, 8:18.44
Women
800m
1: Janeth Jepkosgei, 2:01.84
2: Faith Macharia, 2:02.79
3: Winny Chebet, 2:04.40
1500m
1: Viola Kibiwott, 4:09.70
2: Veronica Nyaruai, 4:10.20
3: Margaret Wangare, 4:20.70
5000m
1: Vivian Cheruiyot, 15:53.70
2: Priscah Jepleting, 15:54.03
3: Sylvia Kibet, 15:54.89
10,000m
1: Emily Chebet, 32:46.40
2: Everlyne Wambui,32:46.80
3: Philes Ongori, 32:47.30
3000m Steeplechase
1: Eunice Jepkorir, 9:42.48
2: Ruth Bosibori, 9:54.60
3: Mueni Mutua, 10:05.89
