Kemboi and Chemos return after Korea exploits

By GILBERT WANDERA

Steeple-chase world champion Ezekiel Kemboi and women bronze medalist in the same race Milcah Chemos are back.

The two arrived to a low reception at the Jomo Kenyatta International Airport. Apart from family members who were at the airport to welcome Chemos, no Athletics of Kenya or Government official was at hand to welcome them.

Kemboi, who was carrying just two pieces of luggage, was anonymous even as he alighted from the Qatar Airlines plane despite his status.

He said retaining his title last week was a challenging feat, but remained grateful for his achievement.

"It was very difficult especially going into the race against a strong field. I’m glad that I was very strong especially in the last few metres and this helped me stay ahead to the end," he said.

Kemboi said it was unfortunate they could not win all the top three medals after Frenchman (Bouabdellah) Tahri finished third to claim bronze.

"He (Tahri) is getting stronger in this race but that is because he trains in Kenya. He is slowly learning our tactics and may be a threat in future," said Kemboi.

NO PLANS

The World champion said he will run in Zurich next Wednesday during the Samsung Golden League, but insists he has no further plans after that.

Chemos was inconsolable for not winning her specialty and had to settle for bronze.

She went into the race as the favourite after winning this year’s Samsung Golden league series.

"I still do not understand what happened. It is just one of those days and it is disappointing. My major aim was crowning this year with winning the World title, but this things happens and now I must focus ahead," she said. She praised Russian winner Yuliya Zarapova as a strong athlete and admits she lost to a better competitor.

"She has beaten me several times in the past and I have also won against her so I always knew anything could happen when we met in Daegu. She is very strong runner and deserved to win," she said.

Chemos said she was let down by her jumps. "It slowed me down getting to the water and this is perhaps something I need to work on in future. Running on the new surface was also a challenge and perhaps Athletics Kenya need to help us get used to competition surfaces before hand," she said. The rest of the Kenyan teams arrives on Tuesday.