Kenyan Stanley Waithaka Mburu wins a silver medal in men’s 10,000 Metres

Kenya was made proud on Sunday night after Stanley Mburu bounced back from a starting lap fall to secure Kenya’s third medal at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene.

Mbur managed to clinch silver in the men’s 10,000m, finishing second behind world record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda.

The 22-year old experienced a fall hitch but bounced back in the opening lap and another stumble after three laps and clocked 27:27.90 to finish second with Cheptegei sustaining a last lap sprint to win the race in 27:27.43.

Uganda clinched gold and bronze with Jacob Kiplimo edging out defending champion Selemon Barega of Ethiopia for third place.

The final lap was a memorable one resembling the 2017 World Under-18 championships when Barega and Waithaka were in a sprint finish in the boys’ 3,000m at the Moi Sports Centre Kasarani with the Ethiopian winning.

However this time round Mburu , who won bronze in that race, ensured he struck a win over his rival for silver.

Mburu exhibited power of winning gold with two laps to go, sprinting to the front and maintaining the lead.

However, when the bell rang, Ethiopia’s Berihu Aregawi and Cheptegei moved to the front, punching up their strides increasing the pace but the Kenyan youngster maintained the speed with them.

At this point,. the other Kenyan duo who were in the leading pack, Daniel Mateiko and further behind Rodgers Kwemoi had been dropped off completely

Heading to the home stretch, Barega, the defending champion increased pace on the outside battling for the top slot, but Cheptegei was not letting go.

The Ugandan energized his strides and Mburu responded in kind, going past Barega who seemed to slow down under pressure.

Ultimately, the Ethiopian fell off the pace and was rendered withdrawn from the top three positions dwindling his hope of clinching the medals by Kiplimo who timed 27:27.97.

Mateiko finished eighth while Kwemoi ended at position 15.

Congratulations to all sports teams.