Eliud Kipchoge leads part of Team Kenya home after stellar show in Tokyo [Photos]

Tokyo Olympics men’s marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, Men’s 1500m Olympic Silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot and Ruth Chepngetich received by media at JKIA [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Part of the Team Kenya crew touched down at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport (JKIA) on Wednesday morning after finishing third on the medals table, first in Africa in the just-concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

The athletes included Men’s marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge, 1500m silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot, Prisons head coach Gideon Chirchir and two-time world marathon champion Ruth Chepngetich.

Kenya finished 19th in the overall standings, with the United States of America boasting first place with a total of 113 medals – 39 gold, 41 silver and 33 bronze.

China came second with 88 medals (38 gold, 32 silver and 18 bronze), with hosts Japan in third with 58 medals (27 gold, 14 silver and 17 bronze).

Eliud Kipchoge, Timothy Cheruiyot and Ruth Chepngetich brief media at JKIA after landing from Tokyo, Japan [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Kenya was the best African nation at the Games with a total of 10 medals – 4 gold, 4 silver and 2 bronze.

Kenya’s medal hunt in Tokyo began with Benjamin Kigen, who won bronze in the Men's 3000m steeplechase final.

Emmanuel Korir then claimed Kenya’s first gold at the Games, storming to victory in the Men’s 800m final, second ahead of compatriot Ferguson Rotich.

Men’s 1500m Olympic Silver medalist Timothy Cheruiyot received by family members at JKIA [Jonah Onyango, Standard]

Hyvin Kiyeng could only manage bronze in the Women's 3000m steeplechase final, as Faith Kipyegon claimed the country’s second gold medal in the Women’s 1500m final.

Timothy Cheruiyot’s bid to add an Olympic title to his world title failed to materialise after Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigsten compelled him to a Silver medal in the Men’s 1500m final.

Peres Jepchirchir and Brigid Kosgei claimed Kenya’s 8th and 9th medal after a 1-2 finish in the Women’s marathon, followed by Eliud Kipchoge’s exemplary run to claim gold in the Men’s marathon.