The USA and Jamaica are powerhouses in the sprints. Nowonder Tyson Gay, Asafa Powell, Usain Bolt and Yohan Blake could give the world the fastest race in the 100m at the Stratford Olympic Park. EastAfrica, on the other hand is undoubted in the middle distance and long races. From Kenyans David Rudisha and Pamela Jelimo (800m), Burundian teenager Francine Niyonsaba, the Bekele brothers from Ethipia and our very own Moses Kipsiro, Stephen Kiprotich and Benjamin Kiplagat, they have stunned the world in the 5000m, 3000m steeplechase and the marathon. And in the water jump race, Kenyans have been at the fore front of the business.
Kiplagat was beaten by Kenyans Abel Mutai and Wilson Maraba to win bronze in a time of 8:18.73 at the Charles de Gaulle Stadium, Benin last Friday. And he will not even have enough time to celebrate his first senior medal as he trains to shatter the prowess of our Eastern neighbours. “My preparations are going on well,” he told Kawowo Sports. “My groin injury is steadily fading away and chances of beating the Kenyans are high” assured Kiplagat.
He finished ninth in the same race at his maiden Olympics at the Bird’s Nest Stadium four years ago. Uganda Athletics Federation president Dominic Otuchet has high hopes in the athlete.