Tariku Bekele, Augustine Choge, or Samuel Wanjiru which is the best Junior in 2005?

is wanjiru's season over? i read he is considering a fall marathon, which would be unusual for a junior, but if he is training in japan the marathon would probably be his best event, if he runs berlin, chicago, amsterdam or fukuoka the world record is in trouble. the 2641 on the track confirmed his half marathon is real.

Difficult in a way.

I really like the ferocity of

Tariku.

But... you must go with:

1. Choge.

2. Wanjiru.

3. Bekele.

Choge...because of his range.

Wanjiru...because of his 10 k.

Bekele...because he MIGHT beat both

of the above.

Tariku is a good athlete, but I think he is slightly over-rated because his surname is Bekele!

Choge has been a bit up and down this year... Some fast times, but some disappointing performances as well.

Wanjiru wins a lot of his races and his times are just crazy for an 18year old!! I actually watched him run for the first time in the Brussels 10k last night and he was the only one who had the guts to go with Bekele until he Kenny B put in a very fast 2.35 kilometre(!) at the 6k mark.... (I suspect Wanjiru would have come second and may have run faster than 26.41 if he had stayed slightly off Bekele's pace like Kiprop did)......

Consider his progression:

2004: 28.00

2005: 27.32 , 27.08, 26.41

At this rate, he will be causing Kenny B some major problems next season!!

This is definitely the kid to watch! He likes to run fast and wants to win! It will be interesting to see how he goes in the Rotterdam half marathon on September 11th (Sub 59 perhaps??)

I suspect Wanjiru may also have run a 5k PB in the first half of the race.... His previous best appears to have been 13.12!!

Yeah, that kid ran with no fear. Wish I could say the same for me.

Herdsman

I agree that Tariku is a great young athlete and many feel he is heading for greatness. That may be true but I also think that is largely in part to his last name. Many posters overlook that he isn't even the best junior on the circuit. Samuel Wanjiru is by far the most consistent at the elite level, Augustine Choge seems to be the most talented and so far the most inconsistent, and Tariku Bekele is just a great junior.

All three are great runners but in my decision as to who is the best...IF I was a elite runner which would I not want to face in their best distance? Samuel Wanjiru. I think all three will continue to impress athletic fans in upcoming years. I honestly don't know who is the most talented Augustine Choge (his range from 800 - 10000m) or Samuel Wanjiru and his mindboggling 10000 and 1/2 marathon WJRs.

I would say...

1. Wanjiru

2. Choge

3. Bekele

Vipiam,

T Bekele will make you eat those words... did choge make it to the world finals.. no way..

you will see that choge will be washed up.. and tariku will be running 12:40 and 26:30 soon.

The kenyans are not good runners anymore .. kenya is the next morrocco.. finland.

Ben limo is there only medalist.. and a dutch guy spanked them in the steeple chase..

Its official.. kenya is dead!!!!!!!!!!!!!!

Uganda, Tanzania are picking up...

Gashe Wolde

Grow up!!!

The purpose of Vipam's post was to have an objective discussion about who is the best junior athlete amongst the three this year..... On the evidence there can only be one answer...Wanjiru.

I find it sad when people make stupid nationalistic statements like you do.... its very petty and narrow minded.

From your name I presume that you are Ethiopian, and I think most people on this board appreciate what fantastic athletes Ethiopia has.....but it shows a complete lack of grace to make jingoistic and bigotted statements about other countries like you do!

I tend to find that people who get obsessed by ''patriotism'' are usually fairly sad individuals who have achieved very little in their own lives.... One's nationality, like their sex is something that an individual has absolutely no control over.... be proud of the things in your life that you can actually achieve by your own efforts, not your nationality which is just a random twist of nature!

S.Wanjiru..... 26:41 10k and 59:43 1/2mara

A.Choge..... 3:33 1500, 7:28 3000 and 12:53 5000

T.Bekele..... 7:38 3000, 12:59 5000 and 7th at Worlds

Assuming that Bekele's 7th place at the world champs doesn't mean all that much as the guys are Juniors (+ he didnt exactly win anyway).... then Bekele is a definite third place. Choge is heaps more versatile but it has to goto Wanjiru simply because of how good 26:41 is. Also Choge choked at worlds (surely he was in the wrong event anyway though)

doug225550 wrote:

is wanjiru's season over? i read he is considering a fall marathon, which would be unusual for a junior, but if he is training in japan the marathon would probably be his best event, if he runs berlin, chicago, amsterdam or fukuoka the world record is in trouble. the 2641 on the track confirmed his half marathon is real.

I pick Wanjiru for junior of the year, and for future half marathon and marathon world record holder. Not this year, though -- I simply don't think he has enough miles behind him to hold WR pace past 22 miles. (There are a few more sub-60 half runners than sub-2:05 marathoners for a reason!)

I think it's almost frightening to think what this kid can do, though. For such a huge talent to get appropriate attention and long-term palnning is actually kind of an exception for young Kenyans these days.

I agree with that Samuel Wanjiru is Junior of the Year at this point. Augustine Choge earlier was still planning on a shot at the World Junior Record if he post a sub 12:50 he would be close to Samuel Wanjiru. Samuel is definitely going to be ranked top 10 in T&FN 10000m and Augustine in the 3000m.

Renato should be able to elaborate on Augustine's plans and if he still will shoot for the 5000m WJR.

Wanjiru is definitely the most impressive junior running today. Sub60 in the half and a 26:41 on the track. Does anyone know who is coaching him?

Wanjiru has a legit shot at Bekele titles and records if he manages his career properly. I think he's the only guy who could develop himself into a "Bekele Beater"

S. Wanjiru definitely is a unique talent and great competitor and seldom have bad race. I think Augustine Choge has more potential but isn't as consistent as Samuel. 1:48.7(A) age 16 and 29:05/7(A) age 15 is crazy range and great potential but can Augustine maximum his potential and become as consistent as Samuel Wanjiru?

It is time to stop having junior championships which include professional runners. There is no reason for the East African Runners to use their real ages and the ones that switch to Bahrain take the opportunity to cut off a few more years with their new passports. All 3 are better than anything we have to offer at present no matter if they are 18, 19 or 27. The Rift Valley is to distance running what America/Caribbean is to the 400.

And by the way, Vipam if you posted at Dyestat you could have made this thread a poll instead of just commentary.

Vipam,

Please email me.

Bruce Kritzler

Tariku bekele will make you eat your words!!!

I also don't honestly think Bekele jr. is that awesome. He is good in his own rights but he is not there yet. i am however not taking anything away from him.

Infact this guy, Abreham Cherkos Feleke, would be better than him in a short moment's notice. This guy will be in the league of Sileshi if not better.