The Hindu : Sport / Athletics : Korir, Kosgei carry Kenya's hopes

Online edition of India's National Newspaper
Saturday, Oct 02, 2004

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Sport - Athletics

Korir, Kosgei carry Kenya's hopes

By Our Sports Reporter

NEW DELHI, OCT. 1. Kenya's John Cheruiyot Korir, the sixth place finisher in the 10,000m race in Athens Olympics, will probably be the best male athlete at the 13th IAAF World half marathon championship here on Sunday.

Korir carries the hopes of seven-time men's team title winner after a disappointing show in the 2003 championship in Vilamoura, Portugal. Kenyan men were stunningly outpaced by Tanzania, but they would like to leave those memories behind in New Delhi.

The 22-year-old Korir, who has arrived here on the back of a good win over 9.8km race (30:10) in Catania, Italy, will have the 2002 winner Paul Kosgei for company.

Korir had finished fourth in Vilamoura, splitting the finish of two of the Tanzanian trio, Martin Sulle (3rd) and John Yuda (5th). Though Sulle and Yuda do not feature in the Tanzanian team for 2004 race, the silver medallist Fabiano Joseph is ready to give scare to the Kenyans.

Sun ready to shine

On the women's side, China's Sun Yingjie, the 10,000m World championship bronze medallist, poses the biggest challenge. Sun is the world's third-fastest ever marathon runner and is currently in peak form, having won 5000-10000 double on the same day in China's National Grand Prix final.

Ireland's Sonia O'Sullivan, who bid farewell to Olympics in Athens finishing last, is one name that still attracts attention.

The 31-year-old runner arrived here on Thursday night and had a brief work out at the Nehru Park.

This is O'Sullivan's second visit to India after having participated in an international permit meet in late 80s. Though age has caught up with her, the former 5000m World champion is still a force to reckon with. Last weekend O'Sullivan won the Great North Run with 68:55.

Age no bar

Talking about age, at the New Delhi half-marathon, Israel's Seteng Ayele would be the oldest athlete, while Zambia's Douglas Masaili is youngest at 18 years and 105 days. Masaili will be making his debut here.

At 49 years and 173 days, Ayele has had participated in two half-marathons, in the 1994 Oslo and in 1996 Palma de Mallorca, Spain.

After having skipped eight championships since then, Ayele entered in the New Delhi championship as the lone participation from Israel.

Live telecast

STAR Sports and Doordarshan will show live the 13th IAAF World half marathon to be held here on Sunday. The telecast of the 21-km race will commence at 7.30 a.m.

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