.jpg)
T. NashipaeDaniel Simiu ready for the world after impressive Sirikwa Classic debut
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Tue. 06.02.24. | 14:40
During the Sirikwa Classic, Simiu was in a class of his own. Despite starting slowly, he finished impressively, shining in 29:16, narrowly ahead of Ishmael Kipkurui, who completed the race in 29:18, while Weldon Lagat completed the podium in 29:26
World 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Ebenyo Simiu is swiftly emerging as a force to be reckoned with in the world of athletics.
Simiu ended his 2023 by winning the Kolkata 25km race in a course record and world-best time, making 2023 one of his glorious years. He missed the 25km world record by just five seconds.
The result seemed to propel him to achieve greater heights this year.
The 28-year-old entered 2024 with a bang, keen to win everything there is to be won.
The Iten-based Simiu started the year on a high winning the Campaccio International Cross-Country race held in San Giorgio Legnano, Italy on January 6 by clocking 26:19.
Following that, the star won his maiden National Police Cross Country Championships on January 19 after finishing in 29:48:49. It was during that race that he ran the last 300m bare-chested after removing his jersey and waving it all the way.
During the Sirikwa Classic, Simiu was in a class of his own. Despite starting slowly, he finished impressively, shining in 29:16, narrowly ahead of Ishmael Kipkurui, who completed the race in 29:18, while Weldon Lagat completed the podium in 29:26.
Not even a stitch in the second lap would stop him from overtaking his opponents during the race. His impressive performance sent one message to the athletics world, 'he is ready for the world.'
"This is my second race in Kenya this season after the Kenya Police Service Cross Country Championships, and it shows that all is well, and I am ready for the World," he said after the emphatic win.
Simiu's continued gradual rise started in 2022 when he settled for silver in 5,000m at the Africa Athletics Championships in Mauritius. He lost the top slot to Ethiopian Hailemariyan Amare.
The same year, during the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham, England, Simiu claimed silver in the 10,000m.
His consistency continued when he settled for silver in the 10,000m at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest to earn Kenya her first medal.
This year, Simiu who is under the tutelage of coach Eric Kibet will be looking to go past the second fiddle in major events.
"What happened in Budapest and Riga was just the beginning. My story has just started. I hope to open more chapters in my athletics life and I hope this year presents rich paragraphs," he said.
"This time round, I am determined to finally take that podium place," he positively remarked.
The prayerful Simiu attributed his achievements so far to “God’s grace” and hard work and thanked athletics fans for supporting him.
