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Kemboi, a two-time Olympic gold winner in the 3000m steeplechase, has offered advice to the current crop of Kenyan athletes who have struggled to break Soffiane El Bakkali's dominance in the event.
Legendary former steeplechaser Ezekiel Kemboi has offered tips to the current crop of Kenyan athletes aiming for glory in the 3000m event at the Olympic games this August.
Kenya’s near-perfect reputation of clinching gold at every Olympic games they participated in since independence was brought to an abrupt end in 2021, when Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali won, and he has still become the force to be reckoned with at the category.
At the last two World Athletics Championships, El Bakkali won two gold medals, and was the the 2022 Diamond League champion in his specialist event.
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06:02 - 12.03.2024
ATHLETICS Watch out El Bakkali! Amos Serem shares tactic on reclaiming steeplechase glory
Warning shots have been fired at reigning Olympic and World 3000m Steeplechase champion Soufiane El Bakkali as Amos Serem outlines the tactic to reclaim Kenya's steeplechase glory.
During that time, Kenyan athletes have flattered to deceive in these major events since Conseslus Kipruto won the world title in Doha in 2019.
Benjamin Kigen was Kenya’s best performer in Tokyo, clinching bronze. At the World Championships in 2022 and 2023, Kipruto finished third behind El Bakkali, and in 2023, Abraham Kibiwot clinched bronze.
Heading into 2024, there is uncertainty about whether El Bakkali will be defeated, but Kemboi has offered a word of advice to all athletes aiming to represent Kenya in Paris at the event.
“The most important thing is to have experience and (to be sharp) in training. The Olympics are seven months away so there is still enough time to train,” Kemboi said on Radio 47.
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14:02 - 25.02.2024
ATHLETICS Warning shots fired at Kenyans as Moroccan steeplechase star sets target ahead of Olympic Games
Moroccan steeplechase star Soufiane El Bakkali has fired warning shots at Kenyans after setting a lofty target ahead of the Olympic Games in Parris, France.
“They need to train harder in order to be ready for the Olympics.”
Kemboi has revealed how he used to train for these major events before hanging up his spikes, and believes that they have enough time to prepare well enough to give El Bakkali a run for his money.
“Back when I used to prepare for the Olympics or World Championships, I would start building up the November prior.
“From March, we would work on endurance, and then in April and May, we’d begin specialising on speed, so in my opinion, they still have time as long as they can do well in training.”
In Kemboi's view, the current crop of Kenyan athletes still has ample time to hone their skills and mount a formidable challenge against El Bakkali.
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15:00 - 23.08.2023
ATHLETICS ‘Bring back Ezekiel Kemboi’ - Fans call for return of retired ‘Baba Yao’ after Kenyans are battered in steeplechase yet again
Kenyans appear to be greatly missing four-time steeplechase world champion Kemboi in the wake of the latest loss in a race which was dominated by the country for decades
With dedication, hard work, and adherence to a well-structured training program, Kemboi believes that Kenya can once again vie for supremacy in the 3000m event on the Olympic stage.
As the countdown to the Games continues, all eyes remain on Kenya's athletes as they strive to reclaim their position at the pinnacle of athletic achievement.
Follow the Pulse Sports WhatsApp channel for more updates and analysis.
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