Sports

Kenyan marathon champion, Amos Kipruto ‘embarrassed’ by doping scandals in his country

Published

1 year ago

April 21, 2023

Kenyan marathon world champion, Amos Kipruto, has reacted to recent doping scandals rocking his country, saying he is embarrassed for a younger generation of runners coming through in the Eastern African country.

Kipruto, who is the defending London Marathon champion, said the situation had become worrisome and needs a more concerted effort by the Kenyan Athletics Federation to curb the doping menace.

Kipruto, who is getting set to defend his London Marathon title on Sunday, said younger athletes in his country had been taking shortcuts to success with the connivance of the authorities and compromised medical experts.

Kenyan athletics have been thrown into a mess after the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU) placed 66 of the country’s athletes on the global ineligible athlete list for breaching anti-doping rules earlier this month.

Coupled with that, at least 45 Kenyan athletes were sanctioned for doping last year, either by the AIU or the Kenyan Anti-Doping Agency, including 2019 Boston and Chicago Marathon champion, Lawrence Cherono, and Diana Kipyokei, the 2021 Boston Marathon champion, who had her title stripped after failing an in-competition drug test at that race.

In early April, the AIU released a report where it said there was evidence of a “medically-savvy operation helping Kenyan athletes cheat” after similarities in at least two recent tampering cases were discovered amounting to “criminal conduct involving frauds on the AIU”.

The 30-year-old Kipruto won the London Marathon title in October 2022 in a time of 2 hours, 4 minutes and 39 seconds, and is returning to defend his crown.

Click to comment

Sports

Botswanan Tebogo hits at Kenyan Omanyala over claims of being African sprint king

Published

22 hours ago

May 15, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Botswanan sprint sensation,
Letsile Tebogo, has hit back at Kenyan 100m champion, Ferdinand Omanyala, over claims that he is the king of African sprint.

Omanyala, in an Track and Field network in April, had laid claims to being the true king of Africa in sprints having risen to prominence in 2021 when he set the record as the fastest man in the continent when he ran 9.77 at the 3rd edition of the Absa Kip Keino classic.

The following year, Omanyala won the 2022 African title in Mauritius, as well as the 100m gold at the Commonwealth Games, feats he believes bestows on him the title of Africa’s king of the sprint.

Though it has not been all rosy for the 28-year-old Omanyala as he has faltered at some big stages having failed to make the final of the Olympic games in Tokyo in 2021 and finished a disappointing seventh at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest last year, he still believes he is head and shoulders above other African stars.

On the other hand, 20-year-old Tebogo has already scored medals in both the 100 and 200m races at the highest stage, which has given him the right to question Omanyala’s claims

“I do not have anything to say. Everything will reveal itself as time goes on,” Tebogo said in an interview with the same Track and Field network on Tuesday.

“To me, it does not make sense if you are the African champion, but where it mattered the most, he could not step in,” he added.

Tebogo who has proven his mettle in the 200m which he claims is the easiest race to compete in, believes it should also be used as a gauge to test the fastest men in the continent apart from just the 100m.

“The 100 is very tactical. Any day can be your day. I believe we should include both races,” he added.

Sports

Super Falcons star Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper in France

Published

2 days ago

May 14, 2024

Akanimoh Etim

Super Falcons of Nigeria goalkeeper, Chiamaka Nnadozie, has entered the history books as she became the first female African player to win best goalkeeper award in France.

Nnadozie was on Tuesday, named the best goalkeeper in France by the National Union of Professional Footballers.

Nnadozie received recognition for her 2023–24 season-long brilliant performances for Paris FC where she posted regular woman of the match performances.

The Nigerian international won the individual title by defeating a formidable competition that includes Christiane Endler of Olympic Lyon, Katarzyna Kiedrzynek of PSG, Chloe N’Gazi of FC Fleury, and Kinga Szemik of Stade de Reims.

Last month, the 23-year-old also won the title of top goalie in the French D1 Arkema women’s league.

Nnadozie’s exploits in saving penalties have also solidified her place among the world’s top goalkeepers, saving seven penalties, the most by any goalie in Europe.

The Super Falcons keeper has made a name for herself as one of Europe’s top goalkeepers after relocating to France in 2020 and the award is reward for her sterling performances.

Nnadozie took to social media to celebrate the award with a message that said:

“I’m incredibly grateful and humbled by this award. Thanks to the organisers @tropheesunfp for recognizing my efforts and presenting this prestigious award to me.

“A big thanks to @parisfc_feminines , the club president, the entire team staff , the fans and my wonderful teammates.

“Your belief in me and my work is a tremendous source of motivation.

“Receiving this award is truly humbling, and I am immensely thankful for the recognition. Your support means the world to me.

“Can’t thank my family enough for their prayers and support. My naija Giants, Una pikin Dey loyal , big love ❤️🇳🇬.”

Since the beginning of the 2023–24 season, Nnadozie has been the top penalty specialist and has made the most saves from her position among elite goalkeepers in the men’s and women’s top European leagues.

She has made five saves during her team’s run in the Women’s Champions League, and she has two in the league.