Sport is a life changer. Probably US professional golfer Tiger Woods would not have been in this piece if he were not a sportsman (golf).
Few knew Ugandan marathoner Stephen Kiprotich and he was overlooked at the start of the London Olympics two months ago.
He used his chance and rose to the podium after his two hour and eight minutes stupendous performance at the XXX Olympiad. He now has a Wikipedia page
and back home, a crowd’s favourite and darling to many.
Likewise, four athletes Nathan Ayeko, Solomon Mutai, Jackson Kiprop and Adero Nyakisi will represent Uganda at the 20th IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Kavarna, Bulgaria on Saturday.
The first three will compete against prospect Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadese, the event’s world record holder who will be chasing a fifth global title at the event.
Now 30, Tadese remains very much one of the premiere half marathoners in the world.
In 2011 he clocked 58:30 in Lisbon, just seven seconds short of his world record and while he’s raced sparingly this year. He won in Lisbon last spring with 59:34 – he finished a notable sixth in the Olympic 10,000m in August, his most recent appearance.
In the women’s class, Nyakisi, this year’s Hared Source of Nile marathon winner will hope to use her experience to battle a strong Kenyan squad who will start as the overwhelming favourites to take both the women’s individual and team titles.
Twitter – @AllanDarren, Email: allan@kawowo.com