- Simiu clinched silver in the men’s 10,000m
- He beat Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega in the last 10m
- This is his second senior medal
Daniel Simiu Ebenyo claimed Kenya’s first medal at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, after sprinting to silver in the men’s 10,000m.
Ebenyo, who finished fifth in the 5,000m in Oregon last year put up a superb sprint with barely 30m left on the race to edge out Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega on the line, as Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei successfully defended his crown for tha third consecutive time.
The Kenyan, also a silver medalist from last year’s Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, finished in a time of 27:52.60, with Cheptegei defending his crown with a time of 27:51.42, his fastest time this season. Barega clocked 27:57.72 in third for bronze.
“At least, I have delivered something for the Kenyans fans after many moments of elusiveness. I dedicate my medal to all Kenyans; including my girlfriend and coach who both urged me to go the extra mile,” Ebenyo said after the race.
He added; “Being my first medal in the world championships, I think there is more in store. As much as I couldn’t get my hands on gold, I am happy for now, more so coming in as a replacement for Felix Kandie who was ruled out with injury.”
Meanwhile, Bernard Kibet was fifth in 27:56.27 while Nicholas Kimeli, a 5,000m specialist, was eighth in 28:03.38.
Hugely tactical race
Daniel Simiu reacts after winning silver. PHOTO/NOCK
It was a hugely tactical race, with Ebenyo being rewarded for his patience and relentlessness. Going towards the last two laps, it was clearly a battle between the Kenyans, Ethiopians and Cheptegei.
Cheptegei and Barega were playing it out at the front, each being careful not to be caught by surprise. As the athletes raced towards the bell, the Ugandan defending champion and world record holder made his move, by injecting some pace into the medal chase.
Barega followed him, and so did his compatriot Berihu Aregawi, who had the world leading time over the distance this season.
Of the three Kenyans, only Simiu was brace ebough to respond to the injection of pace while Kibet and Kimeli struggled behind. At the backstraight, Simiu still had some distance to cover between him and Aregawi who was third.
The Kenyan kept his momentum, dug deep into his energy reserves and finally narrowed the distance as they emerged off the home stretch.
Finish too strong
Daniel Simiu celebrates. PHOTO/NOCK
The strong finish was too powerful for Aregawi who gave in and allowed SImiu into third place. The 24-year old Kenyan was not done as he pushed further and on the line, pipped Barega for silver.
All this time, Cheptegei had ensured his distance was comfortable enough from the chase and he did enough to hold it away for the gold.
Meanwhile, Kenya’s two walkers failed to land medals with Samuel Gathimba and Emily Ngii both finishing off the top five.
Gathimba, who finished fourth in Eugene last year came home a disappointing ninth clocking a season’s best time of 1:18.34.
Spaniard Alvaro Martin clinched gold with a powered finish in the final 5km, timing 1:17.32 while Swede Perseus Karlstrom earned silver in a National Record of 1:17.39.
Brazilian Caio Bonfim also returned a national record with his third place finish, timing 1:17.47.
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