'Baba Yao' tips Kenya to reclaim lost 3000m steeplechase glory as Serem, Koech qualify
Reading Time: 2min | Sat. 15.06.24. | 16:43
Kenya lost the title to Olympic and World champion Soufiane El Bakalli for the first time since Julius Korir's title in 1984
Ezekiel Kemboi once dominated the world of 3000m steeplechase, bringing glory to Kenya with an illustrious career that saw him win two Olympic gold, four in the World Championships and one at the Commonwealth Games.
'Baba Yao' as the man from Matira is popularly known, was at hand to watch his mentee Amos Serem win the Athletics Kenya (AK) Paris Olympics trials at Nyayo.
The first to meet the trio that crossed the line first, Kemboi first held them up a group hug and as the stadium watched in amazement, he walked them to the mixed zone for interviews. Talk of a support system!
"I am happy with the way they have run and as they go to camp, it will be concerted efforts to make sure they get the best preparations. We want the 1-2-3 back," Kemboi said.
Serem clocked 8:20.55 to win the race and book his maiden ticket to the Summer Games as Simon Koech timed 8:20.99 for the next automatic slot as world bronze medalist Abraham Kibiwott completed the podium places in 8:23.41.
"I have been training hard for this and I couldn't be happier for qualifying," an elated Serem, standing shoulder to shoulder with Kemboi and the other two podium finishers said.
"Kemboi has been my mentor since before I won the World U20 steeplechase title in Nairobi and having him here was a motivation. I want to follow in his footsteps even at the Olympics," Serem added.
On his part, Koech promised to work with his teammates yo bring back Kenya's glory as Kibiwott maintained that his target was to just make the team as he embark on proper preparations with the stiff competition expected in mind.
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