Nairobi — Commonwealth Video games champion Abraham Kibiwott says their predominant mission is to reclaim the Olympics title for the lads’s 3000m steeplechase in Wednesday’s closing on the Stade de France.
Kibiwott says the trio of Commonwealth Video games bronze medalist Amos Serem, Simon Koech and himself are unfazed by the calibre of their opponents within the closing.
“The Moroccans and Ethiopians are evidently robust runners however we additionally consider in our talents as Kenyans. We’ll discuss with our coaches on how we might be operating within the closing. However, I want to guarantee Kenyans that every one might be nicely…they need to rally behind us and we’ll make them completely satisfied,” Kibiwott stated.
The three cruised into the ultimate albeit they underwent blended fortunes of their respective qualification rounds on Monday.
Kibiwott cruised to the ultimate by way of a third-place end in Warmth 2, the place he clocked 8:12.02 whereas Koech completed third within the subsequent warmth after clocking 8:24.95.
Serem, however, raised a hue and cry after initially lacking out because of his sixth place end in Warmth 1 of the water-and-hurdles race, clocking 8:18.41.
Nonetheless, video evaluations confirmed the 2021 World Underneath 20 champion had been shoved within the again whereas approaching the water barrier within the closing lap.
Serem was compelled to evade the barrier earlier than coming again to leap over it, which in the end slowed down his momentum and left him taking part in catch-up with the main pack.
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Reminiscing on the flip of occasions, Kibiwott notes that Serem’s tribulations is lesson sufficient for all them to be extra cautious within the closing.
“Now that every one of us are within the closing, we must be extra cautious. We do not need any of us to be boxed contained in the internal lane the place there’s numerous shoving. Even in my warmth, there was numerous pushing so it requires us to be centered after we get into the ultimate,” the world 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist noticed.
Kenya might be seeking to reclaim a title that has been an emblem of its standing as an athletics powerhouse.
To do this, the trio must upstage defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali who shattered Kenya’s dominance of the steeplechase on the Tokyo Olympics in 2021.
Since then, the Moroccan has continued so as to add insult to harm by clinching his first world title in 2022 in Oregon, earlier than efficiently defending in Budapest, final yr.
As they step onto the tartan at Stade de France, Kibiwott reveals they benefited from priceless recommendation from two-time Olympics champion Ezekiel Kemboi.
“He was with us in our coaching camp again house and after we have been on the airport, he was there to see us off. He inspired us and gave us tips about learn how to deliver house the gold medal,” the 2016 African champion revealed.