Connect with us

Sports

Kenyan Marathon record breaker, Kelvin Kiptum tells of his rise from obscurity to stardom

Published

on

Kenyan London Marathon champion, Kelvin Kiptum has revealed how he went from obscurity to international stardom by dint of hard work and dedication.

The 23-year-old, who stunned the athletic world earlier this month by winning the Chicago Marathon when he set a stunning record of 2 hours, 35 secs, narrated to BBC Sports how he lined up for his first major local competition in 2018 in borrowed running shoes because he could not afford a pair of his own.

“It has been a long journey for me through my career. I have been trying so hard to pursue this dream to run a world record.

“It has come true and I am really happy. My life has now changed,” the Men’s World Athlete of the Year nominee said.

Kiptum who was discovered by a retired Rwandese runner, Gervais Hakizimana, who described him as “a little boy, herding livestock barefooted,” said things were so difficult for him that he had no money to travel for local championships within Kenya.

“That period was very hard for me because I trained for four years, yet there were no successes and they were disappointed in me. But I kept on pushing.”

As a result of his approach, Kiptum has gone from obscurity to world record holder in just five years, with this stratospheric rise a reward for persisting with his dream even when others did not share his vision.

Sports

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

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

Sports

Super Falcons star Nnadozie wins best goalkeeper in France

Published

on

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.

Continue Reading

EDITOR’S PICK

Musings From Abroad3 hours ago

China’s Hailiang, Shinzoom to establish vehicle battery installations in Morocco

Hailiang and Shinzoom, Chinese car battery makers, will establish two separate operations in Morocco as the country strives to adapt...

Metro4 hours ago

Nigeria targets 10,000MW hydropower through sustainable power project

Nigeria’s Minister of Power, Adebayo Adelabu, says the federal government is targeting10,000 megawatts through its Sustainable Power and Irrigation Project...

VenturesNow5 hours ago

Nigeria’s inflation hits 28-year high of 33.69% in April

Nigeria’s consumer inflation reached a 28-year high of 33.69% in April, up from 33.20% in March, according to statistics agency...

Sports20 hours ago

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

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

Tech21 hours ago

Latin America’s biggest payment processor PayRetailers expands into Africa

Latin America’s biggest payment processor, PayRetailers, has announced its expansion into Africa with coverage across four countries, Rwanda, Zambia, Uganda,...

Culture21 hours ago

Legendary American music icon Stevie Wonder becomes full Ghanaian citizen

Legendary American singer and songwriter, Stevie Wonder, is now officially a Ghanaian citizen after he took an oath of allegiance...

Metro21 hours ago

Zambian opposition New Heritage Party accuses govt of dictatorship

One of Zambian opposition parties, the New Heritage Party (NHP), has accused the government of dictatorship after the police insisted...

Metro1 day ago

Nigeria: President Tinubu unveils 21 major initiatives

Nigeria’s President Bola Tinubu has unveiled 21 major policy initiatives of his administration after the Federal Executive Council (FEC) meeting...

Tech1 day ago

Nigeria: Govt approves SPV for 90,000km fibre optic cable

To facilitate the delivery of an additional 90,000 kilometres of fiber optic cable for universal internet access throughout Nigeria, the...

VenturesNow1 day ago

Uganda discusses power line to South Sudan with China’s Sinohydro

According to the president’s office, Uganda is in negotiations with Sinohydro Corporation Limited of China to build a $180 million...

Trending