By Mutwiri Mutuota

On and off the track, Ezekiel Kemboi remains one of the most interesting runners on show.

A reputed steeplechaser, the Athens 2004 Olympics champion is also one of the most outspoken athletes who never shies away from giving news gatherers catchy news bites earning his place as a media darling.

Above all, he is a showman who often leaves his audiences with memorable images. For example, while winning the Osaka Trials, he staged a most dramatic fall, face-flat on the Nyayo Stadium track. At the national championships in June, Kemboi threw his runner’s jersey to the ground in rage after suffering a fall with two-laps to go to place ninth.

Ezekiel Kemboi during the Algeria 2007 All Africa Games. He has set his sights on a gold medal at the World Championships in Berlin. Photo: File/Standard

Who can forget his most memorable quote: "I’m going to Beijing to defend my gold. If I don’t win gold, I will never return to Kenya," as he prepared to leave for last year’s Olympics.

After finishing seventh in his title defence, Kemboi explained: "Those are the kind of things we say to make the game a bit interesting. Kenya is home, I don’t have another home.

"After two laps, I felt my stomach churn and I started feeling sharp pain. Up to that point (he had taken the lead), I was feeling very good but afterwards, I said to myself I would do all I could to finish."

As he heads to Berlin after he was included to the team after finishing third at the trials, Kemboi is looking to go one better. At the last three worlds, Kemboi has been denied gold twice by Qatari, Saif Saeed Shaheen (2003 and 2005) and team-mate, Brimin Kipruto (2007).

opening race

"I’m tired of silver, silver, silver at World Championships!" he exclaimed. "This time, Kemboi will be fair if Kemboi wins gold. It is the only gold I do not have in my house. It will be tough but I will struggle to win this gold that has escaped me," he said.

At his opening race of the season in Qatar, Kemboi made a major announcement of intent when he set his new PB and world leading time with a blistering 7:58.85 effort on May 8.

Besides Kipruto, who succeeded him as Olympics champion last year, compatriots, Richard Mateelong (Beijing and Osaka bronze) and Paul Kipsiele Koech (Athens bronze) in addition to French Olympics silver winner Mekhissi-Benabbad stand in Kemboi’s path as he seeks a maiden world title.

A colourful character, Kemboi launched his career after finishing his secondary education where playing football (midfielder), being a Disc Jockey at school parties, drama and debating were interests.

Kemboi is also a keen farmer, cultivating 50 acres of land in Moi’s Bridge, Trans Nzoia and can be spotted off-season traversing his training base in Eldoret and his farm in his ‘souped-up’ pick-up truck.