Nicholas Bett’s victory in 400m hurdles at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China, made a strong statement about East Africa and Africa’s re-emergence in hurdles.
Uganda’s John Akii-Bua laid the foundation for East Africa’s hurdles with a gold medal at the 1972 Olympic Games in Munich. And when Bett struck gold at the World Championships, many athletics followers were left in awe.
The most surprising scenario was how Bett, who had qualified for the final, as the fastest loser and had to run in the outside lane, could beat the field including teammate Boniface Mucheru, who had showed tremendous form into the final.
It will be no surprise if an East African wins an Olympics title. Bett, his elder brother Aaron Koech and African champion Mucheru hold the region’s mantle over the distance.
The Kenyan trio needs to be at their best to sail into the semi-finals as they compete in the heats today at 5:35pm Kenyan time.
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Although focus will be on world champion Bett, his brother Koech and Mucheru have been in good form this season and the duo are favourites for the semi-finals.
Bett, a former volleyball player at Cheptil High School in Nandi County, has not had the best of seasons since winning the world title and his season best time of 49:31, is no good.
All is possible in big championships like IAAF World Athletics Championships or Olympics as it is often billed as, “nobody’s game”.
Today’s heats contest remains quite significant for most athletes for the real battle starts in events where most of the top stars have fallen at the semi-final stage in most sprints races.
The top men in 2016, anchored by United States’ Johnny Dutch, who sits pretty on top of the world this season with a brilliant 48.10, are expected to give Kenyans a run for their money.
Dutch’s teammate Kerron Clement (48.40) is another favourite for gold in the event and Cuba-born Turk Yasmani Copello (48.42).
Others who have also dipped under 49 seconds this season include Javier Culson (Puerto Rico) and Annsert Whyte of Jamaica.
