Kipsiro is a man Kenyans will love to hate

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Ugandan ace, Moses Kipsiro, will leave Delhi Commonwealth Games as a distance double gold medallist, with curses from his Kenyan rivals ringing in his ears.

Twice, he managed to derail the Kenyan distance running juggernaut when he compelled Daniel Lemashon, Joseph Birech and Titus Mbishei to play follow-the-leader in the men 10,000m final on Monday night in 27:57.39 against 27:57.57, 28:58:58 and 28:03.10.

Just like a week earlier when the Ugandan made Olympic silver winner, Eliud Kipchoge, Mark Kiptoo and Vincent Yator to fit in the same role, the Kenyans had it all to blame for — forgive repeating the cliche — snatching defeat from the jaws of victory.

"The inexperience of our boys cost us victory. They did as instructed until the last lap, when they allowed him to get into the inside lane.

Lesson learned

"They also started kicking too early, but I hope they have learned their lesson for future events. They are still young and they have time to correct what they did wrong here. In Melbourne, Kipsiro was not among the medallists and in four years, he has managed to gain more experience in tactical running that helped him today," distance running coach, Nicholas Kilisio told FeverPitch.

"I waited for long to kick. I did not realise it would be possible to outsprint him until it was too late," Lemashon, the 2007 World Youth champion disclosed after coming from fourth position at the final curve to claim silver in a storming finish that almost upset the Ugandan.

"These are some of the things you learn at this level and now, the disappointment on missing victory will be a motivating factor," he added.

"We tried to break him down but he kept on and on. Credit to him, he is a strong runner but we could have dealt with him differently. Our performance was good under the circumstances," added Birech, who like Lemashon bagged his first medal in his senior career.

Silver winner

"It’s part of sport. These things do happen," expressed Mbishei, a world junior silver winner in 2008.

Kipsiro’s triumph had Ugandans at the stadium in raptures, while the Kenyan party that until then was in fine song forced to concede the victory that would have pushed their medal tally to eight from track and field at Delhi 2010.

Earlier, there was no such disappointment in the men’s 3000m steeplechase. Only the internal finishing order for Team Kenya remained to be sorted out, as a team featuring the Olympic, World, Commonwealth and African titleholders trooped to the field.

At the end, the ascendancy of Richard Mateelong over Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto and deposed Commonwealth king and world champion Ezekiel Kemboi told.