ELIUD KIPCHOGE SETS ANOTHER WORLD RECORD

World marathon record holder Eliud Kipchoge made history after winning his second consecutive gold in the men’s marathon race in Tokyo Olympics 2020 on Sunday, August 8.

Kipchoge clocked in at 2 hours, 8 minutes, and 38 seconds in the star-studded race. Abdi Negeeye of Netherlands took silver as Bashir Abi of Belgium settled for bronze.

His Kenyan counterpart Lawrence Cherono emerged fourth in the race with a season’s best of 2 hours 10 minutes and 2 seconds.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line at the NN Mission Marathon in Netherlands on April 18, 2021.FILE

Kipchoge cemented his legacy by becoming the third man in the world to win back to back Olympics gold in the men’s marathon final behind East Germans Waldemar Cierpinski (1972 and 1976) and Ethiopia’s Abebe Bikila (1960 and 1964).

“I think I have fulfilled the legacy by winning the marathon for the second time, back to back. I hope now to help inspire the next generation.

“The Olympic dream is a special dream. For every athlete here, it has taken a lifetime of preparation to get to this point. Today I lived my Olympic dream. I always say that sport is like life, whereby you can win and lose. But today was a day where I won and get to say I successfully defended my Olympic title,” Kipchoge stated after the race.

The athlete has the official world marathon record of 2 hours 1 minute and 39 seconds as well as an unofficial record of 1 hour 59 minutes and 40 seconds during the INEOS 1:59 challenge in Vienna. 

Kipchoge’s win at the event sealed another gold for the country. The event wrapped up with Kenya scooping four golds, four silver medals, and two bronze medals. 

Despite a slow start, Kenya managed to secure victories at the prestigious event. 

Benjamin Kigen bagged the first medal for Kenya with a bronze medal in the men’s 3000m Steeplechase final. This was followed by Emmanuel Korir who clinched victory in the 800 meters men’s finals. 

Faith Kipyegon emerged victorious in the women’s 1500m final and Peres Jepchirchir secured Kenya’s third gold after winning the women’s marathon. 

By Kenyans.co.ke