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Kenyans appear to be greatly missing four-time steeplechase world champion Kemboi in the wake of the latest loss in a race which was dominated by the country for decades
Kenyans on social media have expressed their disappointment following yet another loss in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase where Abraham Kibiwott clinched bronze in the final won by defending champion Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco.
Steeplechase was considered a ‘Kenyan race’ until the delayed 2020 Olympics when El Bakkali won it, ending the country’s tradition that had stood since 1984, and the same happened the following year at the World Championships in Euguene, Oregon when the Moroccan destroyed the field once more.
El Bakkali asserted his authority again on Tuesday when he commanded the race to shrug off competition from Ethiopian Lamecha Girma while Kibiwott and Leonard Bett were left to fight for third place.
Kibiwott stumbled while clearing the final barrier but still recovered to claim third place in 8:11.9 but it was still enough for Kenyans who have come accustomed to winning the steeplechase, where a clean sweep of the podium was a common occurrence during their glory days.
Kenya’s last steeplechase gold at the Worlds was delivered by two-time world champion Conseslus Kipruto in 2019. Kipruto took over the mantle from four-time winner Ezekiel Kemboi, who won it in 2009, 2011, 2013 and 2015.
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23:08 - 22.08.2023
Abraham Kibiwott recovers from nasty fall to take 3000m steeplechase Bronze behind El Bakkali and Girma
Kenyan athletes were once again relegated to the back by dominant Moroccan and record holder from Ethiopia.
Kemboi retired after his disappointing 11th place finish at the 2017 edition in London but Kenyans appear to miss greatly in the wake of the latest steeplechase thrashing.
“Seems Ezekiel Kemboi retired with our luck on steeplechase races! We have been struggling lately, something urgent needs to be done to rectify the situation. Dominance in these races is key,” said @abuga_makori.
“Kenya has never been the same in the 3,000m steeplechase since the legendary Ezekiel Kemboi retired. We need to reclaim our lost glory cos (because) this decline is unbelievable,” was @Aadozo’s responde.
“Kenyans are missing Ezekiel Kemboi the legend of men’s 3,000m steeplechase,” said @psongool while @Docktus_, added: “Ezekiel Kemboi is truly missed on the track. This man brought us glory and entertained us at the same time.”
“At this juncture I must say I miss Ezekiel Kemboi and team,” commented @EtalePhilip.
However, others feel Kenya has been left behind because they were too comfortable and thought the race was theirs forever.
“Some of these talents are generational, and also goes in cycles. For many years, Ezekiel Kemboi dominated the 3,000m steeplechase and at that point we thought that it was a Kenyan race forever. Truth is others were also training and learning how to run the race and since we have not gotten a true successor to Kemboi up to now, we will continue to struggle,” said @kachwanya.
Some fans think the country is paying the price for not having a proper succession plan, with fears that the women’s 1,500m race could get out of their grasp if a replacement for three-time world champion Faith Kipyegon is not sought early.
“We lost 3,000m steeplechase after Ezekiel Kemboi retired too, 800m is at risk too,” shared @OnlineguruKe.
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11:16 - 07.08.2023
ATHLETICS Can Team Kenya trio reclaim the country's glory in men's 3000m Steeplechase?
Abraham Kibiwott, Leonard Bett, and Simon Koech will be lining up for the men's race with the hope of raising Kenya's flag high.
“Ezekiel Kemboi, the undeniable champion of his time in the 3,000m steeplechase, graced us with 15 years of unparalleled entertainment. After his retirement, that team has never been the same. Let's hope to have someone to take over from Faith Kipyegon when she retires,” observed @Lazooj.
A lack of succession plan, failure to embrace technology and inadequate or non-existent sports facilities have been blamed for Kenya’s failure to maintain their steeplechase dominance and it looks like it will take a while before the next Kemboi, Conseslus or even Brim Kipruto is unearthed.
“I know where the rain started beating us in 3,000m Steeplechase, a race that was always synonymous with motherland Kenya. We used to dominate the race on clean podium sweeps! Remember Baba Yao Ezekiel Kemboi? Stephen Cherono, Brimin Kipruto, (Richard) Matelong etal,” said @LilKoima.
He added: “They all used to train at Kamariny Stadium, located in an undoubtedly best High Altitude in the world, which has not been available for training for a very long time! We must fix that facility and allow young athletes to nurture their talents if we have to restore the lost glory.”
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