TIME TO PASS STEEPLE BATON: Rio Olympics could see a change of guard in men’s 3,000m steeplechase

The men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the Olympic Games in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, will no doubt be historic for Kenya.

Two-time world 3,000m steeplechase silver medalist Conseslus Kipruto and two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi promise a fascinating showdown that could culminate in a generational change in the water and barriers race.

Kemboi has four world titles –Berlin (2009), Daegu (2011), Moscow (2013) and Beijing (2015) — and two Olympic crowns from Athens (2004) and London (2012) and athletics analysts predict a change of guard thanks to the on-form Kipruto.

At 34, Kemboi befits his nick-name Baba Yao (their father), having received the baton from the golden generation of three-time world 3,000m steeplechase champion Moses Kiptanui and former world record holder Bernard Barmasai in the late 1990’s.

Kemboi would pass the baton to Kipruto if his remarks at the Olympic trials in Eldoret last week are anything to go by.

Kemboi, the crazy jig-man, said: “I have been around for long and I am happy we have Conseslus in the team. Brimin Kipruto (2008 Olympic champion) and I will guide the young boy (Conseslus) and make him a big champion who will stay for long on the track.”

That would signal a new era in Kenya’s number one track speciality, the men’s 3,000m steeplechase race.

Kipruto, who comes from Kipchunu Village in Nandi County, is in sublime form this season having won Doha, Rabat, Rome and Birmingham Diamond League meetings.

“I have won silvers behind Kemboi twice. I will head to the Olympics for my first time, but with a lot of experience. I want to give it my best,” said Kipruto.

“I was hoping to run under 8:00 in Birmingham but I did not. It was a good time (8:00.12), though. It is good I ran a meeting record and a world lead time,” he said.

As usual, Kipruto beams with exuberance ahead of big conquest –a habit he exhibited during his maiden trip to a global showpiece at the IAAF World Youth Championships in Lille, France, in 2011.

“I feel good. My body is responding well to training and I expect the best in Rio,” said Kipruto.

In 2011, he was more curious about boarding a plane to Europe –something he only heard his training mates discussing while competing and training.

When he landed in Lille, the then Form Four Student at Kosirai Boys High School in Nandi County was inquisitive.

At one time, he asked one of the coaches the direction to Milan City in Italy from Lille.

He was then a school mate to world cross-country runners and siblings Matthew Kisorio, Peter Kimeli and James Magut at Kosirai.

Kisorio and Kimeli have won Milan Half Marathon, while Magut, the former world junior 1,500m silver medallist, pitches camp in Milan.

Five years later, Kipruto will marshal forces alongside Kemboi and Brimin Kipruto in the Samba nation conquest in search for glory.