Bekele paving the way for Kiprop
Aug 28, 2005
<b>OPINION By Louis Jadwong</b><br>WORLD and Olympic 10000m champion Kenenisa Bekele sliced three seconds off his previous best time to set a new world record of 26:17.53 in Brussels on Friday. All distance records are now at the mercy of the brilliant 23-year-old Ethiopian.
WORLD and Olympic 10000m champion Kenenisa Bekele sliced three seconds off his previous best time to set a new world record of 26:17.53 in Brussels on Friday. All distance records are now at the mercy of the brilliant 23-year-old Ethiopian.
Easily forgotten in the euphoria is the fact that the only difference there is between the Ethiopian and 20-year-old Boniface Kiprop is a final kick. Get the ‘finishing kick’ right, and Bekele will have to run out of his skin to beat Kiprop.
In finishing fourth, Kiprop was the youngest finisher at both the Olympics last year and World championships 10000m finals this month, and he has been on the heels of Bekele all season long. The past year alone has gone a long way to show that Kiprop is the heir apparent to the distance throne.
Only Bekele, who was 22 seconds faster than second-placed Kiprop on Friday, and Abebe Dinkesa, have run faster than the Ugandan this year.
What Bekele can do, Kiprop can do even better. Looks like Bekele is simply paving the way for one greater than he is.
Ends
Easily forgotten in the euphoria is the fact that the only difference there is between the Ethiopian and 20-year-old Boniface Kiprop is a final kick. Get the ‘finishing kick’ right, and Bekele will have to run out of his skin to beat Kiprop.
In finishing fourth, Kiprop was the youngest finisher at both the Olympics last year and World championships 10000m finals this month, and he has been on the heels of Bekele all season long. The past year alone has gone a long way to show that Kiprop is the heir apparent to the distance throne.
Only Bekele, who was 22 seconds faster than second-placed Kiprop on Friday, and Abebe Dinkesa, have run faster than the Ugandan this year.
What Bekele can do, Kiprop can do even better. Looks like Bekele is simply paving the way for one greater than he is.
Ends