IAAF World Championships: Kenya bags first gold medal as star Kirui shrugs off Ethiopia challenge
Athletics
By
Dennis Okeyo
| Aug 07, 2017
Geoffrey Kirui won Kenyans’ first gold in the men’s marathon to extend the country's record as the most successful nation in the history of the event at the IAAF World Championships.
Kirui becomes the fifth champion after winning a compelling duel with Ethiopia’s Tamirat Tola.
In the women's marathon, Edna Kiplagat settled for silver as she lost her quest to become the first person to win three world marathon titles.
Former compatriot Rose Chelimo, who changed her allegiance to Bahrain, won gold after a late surge.
Chelimo, 28, clocked 2:27.11 seconds, with Kenya’s 37-year-old champion of 2011 and 2013, Kiplagat, clocking 2:27.18 for second.
Kiplagat’s compatriot, Flomena Cheyech Daniel, was perhaps the most unfortunate of the lot as she missed a medal by three seconds after the inspired final charge of the 33-year-old US athlete, Amy Cragg.
Kirui, the 2017 Boston Marathon winner, cruised through the last portion of the race with little worry as he made his way across the finish line in a time of 2:08.27, ahead of Tola of Ethiopia who timed 2:09.49.
Alphonce Simbu of Tanzania finished third, stopping the clock in 2:09.49.
Kirui, 34, took command of the race at the 35-kilometre mark after Tola surged ahead.
“This is the best moment of my career, easily,” said Kirui.
“I am so happy to win the world title because it is my first time at these championships. This was the best course and the best crowd I have seen at a marathon.
“I was not expecting to be world champion. I feared the Ethiopian because he had such a fast time, so I just followed my plan to 35k and then felt my body to see how I was doing. Good for me it responded well.
“I was smart not to follow the Ethiopian. When he tried to take off I knew I had to hit my target at 35k then I started to move.
“Winning this title has been my goal for a long time. Now my goal will be to repeat it.”
Douglas Wakiihuri was the first Kenyan to win gold in 1987 in Rome, but it took 20 years for the country to get another gold in Luke Kibet, who won in the Osaka Championships in 2007. Abel Kirui is a double winner in this event in Berlin and Daegu in 2009 and 2011 respectively.
“Kirui’s win is great for the country and history was on our side,” said Wakiihuri.
“However, Kenya is doing badly in 5,000m and 10,000m. I understand they don’t have many races in this category because events like Diamond League doesn’t accommodate 10,000m so most runners are pushed to compete in half marathon and big city marathon which we are doing quite well and have good prizes.”
Gideon Kipketer finished fourth in 2:10.17 behind Callum Hawkins (2:10.56) of Great Britain. Pre-race favourite Daniel Wanjiru faded to eighth position in a time of 2:12:16.
Eritrea’s 2015 champion Ghirmay Ghebrselaasie was not here to defend his title, but his nation’s hopes were ably carried by Yohanes Ghebregergis, who was seventh in 2:12:07