The last day of IAAF world championships in London, #teamkenya won two gold medals to finish second in the global showbiz in the colonial master’s land.
After failing to defend the overall title, Kenyan athletes won in Beijing, China two years ago, collected 11 medals; five gold, two silver and four bronze, finish behind world Super power United States in the medal standings.
On the last day, reigning Olympic 5,000m silver medalist Hellen Onsando Obiri and Elijah Motonei Manangoi were the double winners in 5,000m and 1,500m respectively to tally the gold medal to five.
It was Paul Tanui, the Olympic 10,000m silver medalist started medal collection for kenya in 10,000m with a bronze in men’s 10,000m on the first day of the championships on August 4, former world cross country champion Agnes Jebet went for another bronze in women’s 10,000m the following day here.
Geoffrey Kirui would hand Kenya its first victory in the men’s marathon on day three of the Championships with the 2011 and 2013 women’s marathon champion Edna Kiplagat going for silver in women’s marathon.
Olympic 1,500m champion Faith Chepng’etich would claim a double within one year with women’s 1,500m glory on the fourth day before Conseslus Kipruto followed it up with victory in men’s 3,000m steeplechase on day five.
World Under-20 800m champion Kipyegon Bett won bronze in the men’s 800m also on day five. Last Friday came with shocker for Kenya when Hyvin Kiyeng relinquished her World title to settle for bronze in women’s 3,000m steeplechase as her compatriots flopped.
Americans Emma Coburn and Courtney Frerichs produced the shock of the Championships when they swept to a 1-2 victory in women’s 3,000m steeplechase dealing Kenya’s quartet a major blow.
Kenya’s medallists in London:
Gold:
Geoffrey Kirui (Marathon), Faith Chepngetich (1,500m), Conseslus Kipruto (3,000m steeplechase), Hellen Obiri (5,000m), Elijah Manangoi (1,500m)
Silver: Edna Kiplagat (marathon), Timothy Cheruiyot (1,500m)
Bronze: Paul Tanui (10,000m), Hyvin Kiyeng (3,000m steeplechase), Agnes Jebet (10,000m), Kipyegon Bett (800m)