Kenenisa Bekele: how soon will he totally annihilate the distance WR's?

Mesfin

Actually Samuel Wanjiru is an outstanding X-Country runner. If he runs World X-Country he has the potential to be top five easily unless he have a bad day. Still Kenenisa is the man to beat and Tadesse, Abraham C., Samuel W. and of course the other Ethiopians are to challenge for the lesser medals. If Kenenisa doesn't show up ready to run an amazing streak may come to an end. I'm not counting on Kenenisa to lose because if he have an good run its over but a falter even a small one (lag in pace) could produce an upset. I honestly think Kenenisa wants to punish the athletes from Ken, Qat, and Bhr more this year than in the past-for some reason he sames to have something to prove in X-Country. WHY?

"In 2005 World X-Country Championships Abraham Chebii ran close to Kenenisa Bekele and was ready to unleash his kick when he stepped in a mud hole and the race was over".

vipam, you have to think how troubling the year for kenenisa started. nobody (except himself) thought, kenenisa would win. i for myself tought the short course goes to shaheen and the long to dinkessa, after seen dinkessa`s good shape in europe. kenenisa is not only physically but also mentally the best distance runner currently. he will be prepared very well and will never give the kenians (a and b) a slight chance. with sihine and tariku in a good shape, he will have some one who assists him for both races. as for my own hero ZT, i hope to see him contesting for silver against sileshi.

i agree with you.

for zersenay tadeesse, the long CX will be his favorite and once agian can clinch the 2nd place. i doubt for kenyan to get a medal for long course

Yes I already know Kenenisa is the best distance runner in the world, no doubt. Even the best can be defeated if they construct the wrong tactics during the race. If Kenenisa go out hard and run his solid blazing pace, he shouldn't have any problem winning-or-run solid pace and drop everyone 2000m out. The only thing I'm saying is if the pace lags long enough to leave Abraham Chebii within sight of finish with the leader then anyone near Abraham will have to fend off one of the most lethal kicks in decades.

Can Abraham stay with Kenenisa long enough to utilize his wicked finishing speed? I don't think so!

the real question is: how far behind (or ahead) will Webb be?

Webb would have to be proud if he made top 25 which is well within his capabilities. The depth of the distance world is too great for a real miler to crack top 10 on the long course.

I agree if Alan Webb placings in the top 25 it would be an outstanding achievement for the miler. The most interesting story will be if Kenenisa can remain the only short course winner before its discontinued at the World X-Country?

When most Kenyans say they are targeting Kenenisa Bekele its common to overlook their statement as so many have been forced to relinquish such goal to Kenenisa's dominance. Enter Samuel Wanjiru the WORLD JUNIOR 10000m and 1/2 marathon (26:41.75 and 59:16), who awaits his brother onto the European circuit where he believes his brother can assist him in tackling the Bekeles (Kenenisa and Tariku).

GREAT ARTICLE Below from The Nation

......

BIG INTERVIEW: Sam Wanjiru may be small but his dreams are gigantic

Story by PETER NJENGA

Publication Date: 2/12/2006

'I watched Bekele assisted by his brother Tariku and concluded they were good because they ran as a team and understood each other's capabilities. I was alone and not sure how to run so it came as a surprise when it was announced I had set a new world mark as a junior.'

Samuel Kamau Wanjiru (2039) at the weekend's national cross-country championships. Kamau finished 16th overall but remains confident of booking a ticket to the World Cross-country Championship to be held in his "home town" of Fukuoka, Japan on April 1 and 2.

One man who attracted unsolicited attention at the national cross-country championships on Saturday, Samuel Kamau Wanjiru, could not understand the cause of the fuss he was creating.

He had just finished the 12 km race 16th overall, a position which raised eyebrows as to whether or not he had prepared well over the last three weeks spent in Kenya from his base in Fukuoka, Japan.

There has been a lot of pressure on Kamau, 19, to perform. Many fans were longing to see the man who, seven months ago, had been dismissed as too young to mix with adults in competition.

Between August and September last year, Kamau repaid the "doubting Thomases" with two world records in a span of 18 days. His fame shot through the roof. Suddenly, the world was asking who is this Kamau? Just yet another prodigy from Kenya, was the apt response.

Since then, his presence has been raising eyebrows at an unrelenting pace his tiny torso - he stands a slight 4' 6''- notwithstanding.

On Saturday, some fans were wondering whether this was the same man who shook the world.

This attention was not what he was after at the Ngong racecourse. Being in the city centre away from athletics fans is more comfortable for him, he said.

Two weeks ago at an eatery in Koinange Street, in Nairobi, we were having a late lunch in the company of his friends. They included fast rising marathon runner Isaac Macharia. Kamau enjoyed the peace of mind.

Transformation in life

As if reflecting on his new found life of stardom that day, Kamau watched the traffic flow as he looked down from the balcony counting the number of white Toyota cars first then the other models.

Nairobi and its skyline, he said with a frown, reminded him of the transformation his life has taken in the last four years.

Last time he was in Nairobi, Nakumatt Lifestyle nearby had not opened its doors nor were Pesa Point cash dispensers introduced.

From the rural setting of his Ol Kalou home town near Gilgil , having sampled life in European capitals, the state of his legs comes to mind as he toys with a glass of soda. Life, he said, has many twists, some of them work for the best.

For a man who appeared destined to end up struggling like most Kenyans after finishing school at a time job opportunities are shrinking, Kamau can count himself lucky.

He was equally happy nobody was taking notice of him as he enjoyed his meal and jokes with friends.

Hard to distinguish

He looked like any other young man in the city, hard to distinguish from the myriad others by his attire which is predominantly sporty. The waiter too was hardly aware he was serving a celebrity, a man who had set the 10,000m junior and half marathon records. A man, who could not walk the streets of Fukuoka without Japanese fans stopping him for autographs.

His home -coming last month caused ripples in Ol Kalou, where he was unknown outside the circles of close family members. From a very humble background, Kamau said being in Nairobi somehow had a sobering effect for him compared to his home where everybody, young or old, ordinary and prominent, have been stopping him to first congratulate him and enquire about his well being. This has been done at without a premium though.

There is this general consensus among business people in Nyahururu that they should make hay while the sun shines by hiking prices every time a star athlete enters their shops. Therefore with friends like Isaac Macharia, the fast rising marathoner, there is always something peaceful in being in Nairobi.

"This is too tough," he refers to his meal- chicken, "unlike in Japan where meat has no bones."

Having just turned 19, Kamau is already financially capable of looking after himself like all other well paid professionals. He does not need to burn tracks every other week like most European based Kenyans as he is on a salary at Toyota Motor Corporation.

Since his arrival home, Kamau has been gradually but carefully selecting his meat. Living on rice and sushi (raw marinated fish) or other light foods has made his stomach delicate. As his friend Macharia suggested, one cannot arrive from Japan and start feeding on hard stuff like nyama choma without risking a stomach upset. The digestive system can only manage this in small doses at first.

His mind shifts back to his second home in Fukuoka, Japan, where he commands similar respect as in Ol Kalou. In Japan he commands smiles, kind words and photo opportunities for both the young and old.

Overnight, his prominence has shot through the roof since breaking the records.

By all standards, Kamau feels 2005 was a very significant year in his life. Between August and September, he set two world records in a span of 18 days - in the 10,000 metres and half marathon.

On August 26 in Brussels, Belgium, Wanjiru finished third behind Kenenisa Bekele and Ugandan Boniface Kiprop in a new junior world standard of 26 minutes 41.73 seconds.

Wanjiru had travelled to Europe with his coach Kouichi Morisaita to see how he could fair against the best, having missed all important races including the world championship trials due to inexperience and age.

Officials thought he was too young and inexperienced to do the usually competitive national trials for the Helsinki world championships last June. Like most Kenyan athletes in Japan, he had recently finished high school at the Ikuei High School in Sendai where his first assignment was to learn Japanese.

Medals proved hard to come by. Mathathi proved age was no longer an issue at certain levels of competition as he managed to play a crucial role for his team which saw Moses Mosop finally winning the bronze medal in the 10,000m behind Kenenisa Bekele and Silesh Sihine of Ethiopia.

Back in Japan, it was decided there was no harm in entering Kamau in the Brussels Golden league on August 26 to see how he could fair against Bekele.

A few days earlier Martin Mathathi impressed many people by keeping up with the Ethiopians at the world championships.

Bekele had indicated he was going for his own world record in Brussels and the man who would make this possible was his younger brother Turiku.

Kamau saw no harm in chasing them and in an unscheduled world record attempt, he found himself in the lead. When Bekele stopped the clock in 26 minutes 17.53 seconds, Wanjiru in third behind Ugandan Boniface Kiprop did 26:41.53, a new junior world record.

Bekele posted a 26:17.53 world record.

"I watched Bekele assisted by his brother Tariku and concluded they were good because they ran as a team and understood each other's capabilities."

"I was alone and not sure how to run the race so it came as a surprise when it was announced I had set a new world mark as a junior," he said.

"Ethiopians have exploited our greatest weakness as we run as individuals. I will put to check their tactics very soon when my brother Simon Njoroge enters the European circuit. We shall become a formidable team."

In the streets of Rotterdam 18 days later, Wanjiru without the comfort of pace setters was in the leading pack and by the last 2 km had taken the lead leaving such respected names like previous New York marathon winner Rogers Rop and twice world cross-country championships silver medallist Patrick Ivuti among others behind him.

He stopped the clock at 59 minutes 16 seconds to beat the previous record of 59:17 set seven years earlier by compatriot Paul Tergat, the world full marathon record holder.

The mention of Rotterdam usually brings a big smile on the face of Kamau. "The pace setters did a horrible job. We had planned to run the first 5 km in 14 minutes but they took us at 14:24, I decided to go it alone."

The record was not in his game plan. Coach Kouichi Morisaita had only briefed him to go for a win if he felt comfortable.

"I felt on top of the world," said Wanjiru, certainly justified as he was not even a good athlete until age 12 when he took over the sport, inspired by the exploits of his neighbour Eric Wainaina, a bronze and silver medallist in the 1996 and 2000 Olympic Games marathon.

Wainaina, in the process became famous in Kenya and his wise investments at home made him the hero of many young boys who no longer saw running as a punishing sport but a way to making tons of money.

Overnight, the world of athletics was talking of this new phenomenon, still too young to be considered for adult competition.

What a dramatic turn of fortunes too.

Although he was to lose that record to Ethiopian athletics great Haile Gebrselassie, he is still happy that age is on his side and more is to follow. But how is he going to remain at the top?

The fear of returning home empty handed and a want to show his benefactors that he will forever be grateful, Kamau's only desire is to remain committed to the sport.

Over another glass of soda, Kamau said he wanted to go to the Fukuoka world cross-country championships and change the fortunes of Kenyans in this event for the last four years. Finishing 16th in the nationals was merely a dress rehearsal. He will be his real self during the final on March 4. This means starting serious training today until his body re-adapts to the local weather conditions.

"We run at sea level in Japan. So running in Kenya does not mean instant results until the body gets used to the high altitude."

To achieve this, he has teamed up with Macharia and several runners whose roots lie in Nyahururu. They trains on the foot of the Ngong Hills.

"I want to see cross-country glory returning to Kenya," he said as an after thought. He would like to show Kenyans Fukuoka where he lives. He has also a good knowledge of the course where he has won in the last three years. His status as a record breaking athlete has made him prominent there since September last year.

That could be as early as the first week of April in Fukuoka during the world cross-country championships if he comes in among the top six during the national trials on March 4.

On Saturday, Kamau realised this would be a tougher assignment than breaking the two records last year. He came in a lowly 16th, a result which did not bother him that much after being invited for the trials.

It was very much unlike himself. Having lived in Japan since he was 14, the weather factor played a crucial role in his disappointing act. Yet there is nothing like not trying hard. "It is the body which dictates how one can respond to competition or training," said Kamau before being overwhelmed by the media attention he was enjoying on Saturday.

Luckily for him, former marathon world champion and record holder Catherine Ndereba was by his side to offer moral support.

They usually have a lot to talk about Japan where Ndereba has been competing for Kenya or in invitational meetings. He also gets a lot of inspiration from this unassuming woman.

In her he has learnt there is no short cut to any achievement in life. The cardinal rule is to chart a plan and work on it to the conclusive end.

After the two world records, Kamau returned to Fukuoka to a hero's welcome especially at his work place inside Toyota Motor Corporation factory where he was well received and given a hefty bonus for the two records.

During the earlier interview, his gaze shifted back to the scene on the road where in the late afternoon the traffic jam was building. "Kenyans love Toyotas I can tell from all these cars," he offered.

"Unfortunately they are going to stay for a long time before they sample the best on the Japanese roads. The car of the future is really something special."

On this particular day, he had been chauffeured around by his homeboy and good friend, Isaac Macharia in a Toyota Rav4 SUV and could not resist the temptation of sharing his mechanical experience at Toyota with us.

"They assemble a new car every 57 seconds and when I am not busy training I do menial jobs in this great place. But nothing to soil the hands. Most of the work is done by robots."

When his running career is over, Kamau would like to go back to school and study mechanical engineering which might come in handy when he returns home.

By then, possibly 10 to 12 years from now, the new motor technology will be alien in places like Ol Kalou where digital knowledge on anything is non- existent.

Laughing as if to himself, he can see the long journey Kenyans have to take before coming to par with Japan where there are no jua kali garages and problems are diagnosed by a computer programme.

Since today we are not discussing the car business, we shift back to athletics. Upon probing by Macharia, Kamau is reminded that his life has just began and could do himself as well as his country, a huge favour if he gave athletics top priority. Not many people are lucky enough to go to Japan. Hundreds are languishing at home due to lack of competition opportunities abroad.

His weapon, he said without thinking, is Oriental discipline. He now knows he cannot just break records without planning. Nor is he going to burn himself chasing dollars every other week since he already has a salary from Toyota.

Life in Japan is fast, the language not a problem. Add the Kenyan population, then the weather no longer depresses him as was the case in his first year.

Severe winters and scorchingly hot summers are no longer a problem.

As a boy in Ol Kalou, Wanjiru always wished to make his single mum proud, by rewarding her for raising him and brother Njoroge single handedly. When he broke records and his picture appeared in the media, his mother's dream was answered.

Now big and street wise Wanjiru has reached where he is because of a combination of discipline, mother's love and a knack to survive alone from the tender age of 14 when he left home and headed to Asia.

He said the man who gave him a through pass, Robert Kioni is a great man with a vision. Kioni works with Shunichi Kobayashi, the Japanese national resident in Kenya who helps Japanese athletics clubs recruit Kenyans.

After Wanjiru finished third in the national primary schools championships in 10,000m in 2000, Kioni was present in Kisumu and realised he had a winner.

He informed Kobayashi who contacted his people in Japan. The rest was easy and within a year, Kamau bid his family a tearful farewell, glad he was not going to an alien place.

Kenya's athletes history there is well documented. The legacy was started by Douglas Wakiihuri in the early 80s which culminated in a marathon gold medal in the 1987 world championships.

Since then, many athletes from Central Kenya have headed to Japan. After Wakiihuri, Wainaina followed in 1998 when most locally-based athletes snubbed the Kuala Lumpur Commonwealth Games, the Japanese connection came to play. Simon Maina and Esther Wanjiru won gold medals in the 10,000m.

Wanjiru's triumph in particular was of national significance as she became the first female to achieve a gold in Kenya's long history in the club games.

Last July Kioni and Kobayashi thought Wanjiru was too young to challenge men in the world of athletics in Helsinki. They earmarked him for the Africa junior championships instead which did not materialise.

This year Kamau will be returning home for the Africa championships as the world juniors are too inferior to his status and ultimately make it to the Africa team for the World Cup later in the year in Athens, Greece.

Win tickets to see Kenenisa Bekele and Yelena Isinbayeva compete in Birmingham this weekend.

http://news.bbc.co.uk/sport1/hi/academy/4712874.stm

Is Bekele still gonna try for the WR?

This time we will see the 2 mile record and 3000mr indoor record by kenenisa and tirunesh respectively

I think Dibaba has a good chance after seeing her at Millrose but I have my doubts about Bekele.

Mesfin

That will be a great contest with the Dibaba sister and Kenenisa is eager to prove he is fit after his subpar performance in the mile.

Bob

The Dibaba sister and Kenenisa are all terrific athletes and I think Tirunesh and Kenenisa are capable of breaking the records; however, so much as to go right to break either of those strong indoor records.

I think one of the world records will fall but not both, pacesetters will miss up one of the record attempts. Its not very often you get two world record attempts and the pacemsetters perform well in both attempts.

Kenenisa Bekele is getting ready to double at the World X-Country Championships and the indoor races are more to sharpen his speed. It is a big deal for Kenenisa to remain the only short course winner and the Ethiopian Federation wants it badly. The Kenyans are finally reported ready to challenge Kenenisa and it really should be one of the greatest editions of X-Country Championships.

In preparation for World X he should get very close to the record at least 8:08.

Both will break the records easily. He has run 7:30 indoors a couple of years back so .. there is no reason for him not to run 8:03 (33 seconds for the last 218 meters). No sweat!!!

Tirunesh has a good chance at the record as well.. i think it takes a lot more for her to break the wr... but she has a really good chance.. i just wish that meseret would be there or at least try the 1500... what the hell... someone should be running the 1500

She has not shown world record breaking concentration...compared to the pro's

It will be hard for Tirunesh now. Adere's 3000m WR was broken today by Shobukhova of russia it now stands at 8:27 which will be very though to beat.