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Kosgei had a decorated career, having broken the 25km world record after clocking 1:11:50 to cross the finish line.
Athletics Kenya and Ethiopian legendary athlete Haile Gebrselassie have led tributes following the sudden demise of Sammy Kosgei, who passed away on Friday night in Nandi County.
Kosgei was involved in a road accident along the Kapsabet-Lessos road at around 7:30 pm after he was knocked down by a hit-and-run passenger vehicle and according to reports, he succumbed on the spot.
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Athletics Kenya took to their Twitter handle to send their condolences to the family of the 37-year-old whose body has been transferred to the Kapsabet mortuary.
“We would like to join fellow Kenyans and the sports fraternity in mourning the passing on of former 25km world record holder Sammy Kiplimo, who died following a road accident at Himaki, Nandi County on Friday,” the tweet read in part.
Kosgei had a decorated career, having broken the 25km world record after clocking 1:11:50 to cross the finish line during the Big Berlin 25km in 2010. He was also Gebrselassie’s pacemaker during the 2009 Berlin Marathon.
The late Kosgei also won the 2015 Kosice Peace Marathon. This year’s Daegu International Marathon on April 2 was his last before he met his death. He finished seventh in a time of 2:08:39.
AK President Gen (Rtd) Jackson Tuwei described the late Kosgei as a focused marathoner who only wanted the best for his country, adding that he was an athlete who was always keen to improve his performance and was very disciplined.
“He simply focused on his goals and delivered on several occasions. Upcoming athletes must borrow a leaf from him if they hope to survive longer on track and road,” Tuwei said.
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Meanwhile, Gebrselassie has expressed shock and disbelief following the death of Kosgei.
He said: “I’m saddened by the death of Sammy Kiplimo Kosgei. I want to send my condolences to the family for losing such a young athlete whose career was just taking shape in marathon. He was a humble athlete.”
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