Kenya's Kirui out of Moscow

By James Bakama

World Championships

August 10 -18

THERE was a sigh of relief in Uganda following news that double world marathon champion Abel Kirui would not be travelling to Moscow.

Kirui pulled out of the World Athletics Championships due to a persistent leg injury, Kenya governing athletics body an-nounced recently.

The 31-year-old Olympic silver medalist was out to become the first Kenyan to win three consecutive world titles after previous successes in Berlin in 2009 and Daegu two years ago.

“Of course we are seriously eyeing a medal in the men’s marathon. But now with Kirui’s absence our chances could be further boosted,” said coach Benjamin Longiros however noting that Kenya has almost 50 marathon runners capable of winning medals in any meet.

But team captain Stephen Kiprotich, who will hold Uganda’s flag with Abraham Kiplimo and Jackson Kiprop in the men’s marathon, is not bothered by whether the Kenyan star is in Moscow or not.

“Remember I beat him at the Olympics. For me what matters most, is that I am set for competition,” noted Kiprotich, who together with Kiplimo and Kiprop has been training in the Kenyan highlands.

Kiprotich surged past Kirui and another Kenyan Wilson Kipsang with five kilometers left to win gold at the 2012 London Olympics.

Kirui sustained a stress fracture of his right shin while in training in April and the injury, which severely hampered his training preparations, has been slow to heal.

Kirui won his first world title in Berlin four years ago, setting a world championship record of 2:06.54 and easily retained the title in Daegu, well ahead of fellow Kenyan, Vincent Kipruto.

Jackson Kiprop like Kiprotich was also buoyant. “We have trained well and are prepared for the task ahead.”

Pressed on whether Uganda should expect a medal from him, the Mumbai marathon winner was a bit reserved. “Issues like medals will come later. What matters most now is that we are set.”