Kandie who made his breakthrough at the 2020 World Half Marathon in Gdynia, Poland before winning the 2020 Valencia Half Marathon, in a world record time of 57:32 believes teamwork in Tokyo will enable them to deliver the elusive gold medal at the Olympics in Tokyo.
“I believe early preparation and teamwork will give us good results in Tokyo,” he said.
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Two-time national cross country champion Sheila Chelangat continued with her splendid form, dominating the women’s 5000m.
The fronting running Chelangat blew off her opponents to win the event in 15:49.6.
Half marathon world record holder Kandie eyeing 10,000m at Tokyo 2020 Monday, 11 January 2021
Kenya s half marathon world record holder, Kibiwott Kandie, has announced his intention to compete in the 10,000 metres at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, eyeing a medal.
He will look to end Kenya s long run without an Olympic gold in the men s 10,000m, which dates all the way back to the Mexico City 1968 Games thanks to the efforts of Naftali Temu.
Kenya has not won the 10,000m world gold in 20 years, since Charles Kamathi was victorious in Edmonton in 2001.
Kandie looks to end that streak at the Games, but will face competition from Uganda s 5,000m and 10,000m world record holder Joshua Cheptegei.
Silas Kiplagat, former 1500m world silver medalist and former world half marathon champion Sammy Kitwara were also born in the hilly area.
But questions have recently emerged about a worrying dip in young talents whose performances will match the 1990s and 2000s group as well as the current crop of athletes.
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Former world steeplechase record holder Moses Kiptanui during the interview at his Kachibora village Cherangany Constituency in Trans Nzoia County. He is now taking care of his animals despite being one of the famous athletes in the country. [Peter Ochieng, Courtesy]
ATHLETICS
By Reuters | January 8th 2021
Kibiwott Kandie, the new world record half marathon holder poses with his trophy upon arrival from Valencia Marathon at AK offices in Nairobi on December 8, 2020. [Kelly Ayodi, Standard]
Kenya’s half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie says he is shifting his focus to the 10,000m as he looks to earn a ticket for this year’s Tokyo Olympics and help end his country’s 53-year wait for a gold medal in the event.
Kandie smashed the half marathon world record by 29 seconds at the Valencia Half Marathon last month, finishing in 57 minutes and 32 seconds and breaking the previous record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019.
By Reuters Staff
2 Min Read
Jan 7 (Reuters) - Kenya’s half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie says he is shifting his focus to the 10,000 metres as he looks to earn a ticket for this year’s Tokyo Olympics and help end his country’s 53-year wait for a gold medal in the event.
Kandie smashed the half marathon world record by 29 seconds at the Valencia Half Marathon last month, finishing in 57 minutes and 32 seconds and breaking the previous record of 58:01 set by compatriot Geoffrey Kamworor in September 2019.
Kenya’s last Olympic gold in the 10,000m came in 1968 when Naftali Temu triumphed in Mexico City, and Kandie is hoping to go one better than Paul Tergat and Paul Tanui, who won silver in 2000 and 2016 respectively.