Man of the people: Kemboi out to break steeplechase record

By JONATHAN KOMEN

Ezekiel Kemboi’s wins at the IAAF World Athletics Championships and Olympic Games have seen him enter the pantheon of steeplechase superstars.

With two Olympic titles and three world crowns to his name – and three worlds silvers as a bonus  – makes Kemboi the world’s greatest steeplechaser of all time.

Despite such brilliant shows, the world record of 7:53.63 remains tucked under Kenyan-turned-Qatari Saif Saaeed Shaheen’s belt.

But Kemboi is keen to upset the rulebook this season.

“I have won all the medals and only need to concentrate on speed to post better time that will see me break the world record this year,” Kemboi told FeverPitch in Iten on Saturday.

He also wants to make the team to the Commonwealth Games that runs in Glasgow, Scotland, from July 23-August 3, where he seeks to improve on the silver medal he won in New Delhi, India, in 2010.

Kemboi’s daredevilry; his lovie for hanging-out; unique dressing at special occasions and astute running style makes all the difference on the tracks.

Good timing

“I am a man of the people. I relate well with people from different backgrounds; whether poor or rich. But I bank on discipline and good timing to win in big championships. I have to study my opponents well. I just use my simple mathematics and I want Kenyans to remember me as a simple man,” he said.

But at his home, Kemboi is a large-scale farmer who  utilises his off-season moments supervising his farming business, overseeing his wheat harvester at his farms in Uasin Gishu County.

“You will meet me there relaxing with the villagers. As an athlete, you need to respect all people even off the tracks and live in harmony with them. That’s why I chose such a lifestyle,” he said.

Kemboi has not honoured his bid to step up to marathon though he has promised on several occasions.

“I have had such plans but my coach, manager and the sponsors still think I can do it better on the track. I always change my plans, know when to attack or hold back and also believe I can have it better this year,” he said.

His outgoing character and superb hand in mixing sports and politics has attracted friends and foe in equal measure.

In 2012, he adorned retired President Mwai Kibaki with his Olympic gold medal and then went on to ride atop former Prime Minister Raila Odinga’s car while at a rally in Eldoret’s 64 Stadium.

In Moscow, Kemboi had these writings on his vest: “I Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi dedicate my win to President Uhuru Kenyatta, Deputy President William Ruto. They are my heroes, my kings. I love Kenya.”

And he crowned it all when he handed over the T-shirt to the President at Lotte Hotel in Moscow, where Mr Kenyatta had hosted Team Kenya to a luncheon.

“Mimi ni mganga (I am a magician). I printed this T-shirt on June 12, 2013 after my soul was fully satisfied that I could win the gold here in Moscow,” said Kemboi.

Date of Birth: May 25, 1982
Place: Matira village near Kapsowar
Occupation: Kenya Police
Speciality: 3,000 metres steeplechase
ACHIEVEMENTS
(Olympics)
Olympic Games 2012 in London: Gold
Olympic Games in Athens in 2004: Gold
(IAAF World Championships)
World Championships in Moscow, Russia in 2013: Gold
World Championships in Daegu in 2011: Gold
World Championships in Berlin Athens in 2009: gold
World Championships in Osaka in 2007: Silver
World Championships in Helsinki in 2005: Silver
World Championships in Paris in 2003: Silver
Commonwealth Games
Commonwealth Games in New Delhi in 2010: Silver
Commonwealth Games in Melbourne in 2006: gold
Commonwealth Games in Manchester in 2002: silver

—jkomen@standardmedia.co.ke