By Omulo Okoth
Moses Mosop and Florence Kiplagat are likely to add another leaf on Kenya’s rich history in the World Cross Country Championships.
They want to be the first couple to win medals at the global event in Amman, Jordan, on March 28. Then they want to consummate their relationship with a grand wedding in December.
Moses Mosop with his family in Eldoret [PHOTO: FILE AND OMULO OKOTH] |
"Florence is equally strong, but not at her full potential, only 11 months after having a baby, but she is a strong candidate for silver and bronze," said Canova, who says Ethiopia’s brigade could still upset Kenyans. World champion Tirunesh Dibaba is not available in Jordan, having withdrawn with an injury.
"I am in a better shape than two years ago (when I won silver) and I will give the gold a serious try in Amman," said the soft-spoken Mosop, who finished seventh at the 2004 Athens Olympics.
"We are planning our wedding for December and it would be a fitting tribute to our family if we can win medals in Amman," he said at their modest house in Action Estate in the outskirts of Eldoret.
If the Kenyan couple win medals, it will be the first time in the World Cross Country Championships. Other history makers include Edith Masai, who, at 34, was the oldest athlete to win a medal (bronze) in 2001 World Cross in Dublin.
John Ngugi was the first to win four times in a row and added a fifth three years later. Paul Tergat was the first to win five times in a row. Bekele became the only man to win both 4km and 12km for five years between 2002 and 2006, making him the greatest ever.
Mosop, 24, and Kiplagat, 22, had their first born baby, Asha Chelagat, 11 months ago. Both are Kenya Police recruits and Kiplagat had to change management from Dutch-based Global Sports to Italian Gianni Demadona’s group for easy co-ordination of training and domestics.
This seemed to have paid well when they won senior races at the February 21 National Cross Country Championships/IAAF Permit Meeting in Nairobi.
