World half marathon silver medalist Abraham Naiebi Cheroben returned to his native land on Tuesday morning where he was welcomed with song and dance both traditional and sacred at the Eldoret International Airport to celebrate his achievement following his exploits in Valencia, Spain.
Cheroben, the Kenyan born turned Bahraini finished second behind Geoffrey Kipsang Kamworor to win silver for his new country, the first silver for the Middle East country.
The 26 year old runner was received at the airport with family members, coach and athletes as he targets to represent his country at the 2018 Asian Games.
“This was a good opportunity for my new country that I represent. The race was not easy but I did my best to ensure that I get my first silver in World half marathon,” said Cheroben.
Event after wining Valencia Half marathon two times-2014 and 2015, on which the course the world half marathon was run, did not match Kamworor’s speed but ran his season best of 1:00.22.
“I was so prepared to win gold but I settled on silver which is not bad for me. I was so prepared and come 2020, I will be in a good position to take the title,” added Cheroben.
The 2017 Copenhagen half marathon champion (58:40) anchored his team to win bronze medal, was accompanied by another Kenyan export to Bahrain Eunice Chebichii Chumba, the fourth finisher at the event.
His training mate former world half marathon silver medalist Leonard Patrick Komon.
Komon, the 10kmand 15km world record holder said they all prepared well for the event that saw him get silver.
“As training mates, we prepared him well and prayed for, luckily God answered our prayers and he came with silver,” said the former Berlin half marathon champion.
His coach Juma Ndiwa was optimistic that Cheroben was too good to win gold due how we had prepared him but he managed silver.