NAIROBI, Kenya, April 1 – Under pressure 7s head coach Paul Treu, has come out to defend himself as the team limp performances in the 2013/14 HSBC Sevens World Series since he took charge in last November continued in their latest tours of Japan and Hong Kong upon return to the country.

The team that used to be welcomed in dance, pomp and color last season, jetted home to a lukewarm reception on Tuesday afternoon from Hong Kong their presence almost going unnoticed at the busy Jomo Kenyatta International Airport apart from press hounds eager to get answers from the team barely recognisable from last season.

Kenya posted her worst performance this season where they collected three points to lift the Shield and see them drop to ninth place on the log with 60 points at the Hong Kong 7s last weekend.

However, with two legs to go in Scotland (Glasgow 7s) and England (London 7s) before this season comes to a close, Treu’s camp has been hit by a major blow as captain Andrew Amonde the season finale after picking a forearm injury during Scotland clash in the Bowl quarter-finals that will sideline him out for eight weeks.

Horace Otieno is also a doubt after sustaining a knee knock but that does not trouble the former Blitzbokke tactician who said the recovery of Philip Wamae, Michael Wanjala and Felix Ayange, might have come at the right time.

Speaking while the team was hosted to a luncheon by sponsors Kenya Air Ways, Treu said the team is still mastering on the basics of his contact style of play before they specialize on various departments right from the props, wingers and kickers.

“We know our supporters are really longing for the first trophy and that is not the Shield, Bowl, Plate but the Cup. I can assure them we are all working hard behind the scenes to make it a reality.

“We are moving in the right direction maybe the results at the moment is not quite showing it but we have identified on things we are going to work on and we are starting at off-season where we will be looking at our team for the Youth Olympics Games and club players to see if we can get potential players that will add to the squad,” Treu who returned with the team for the first time unlike the past where he was connecting to South Africa explained.

Responding on players adapting to his new format of play, he said, “When I took over the team we were faced with a defence that was going backwards and an attack that was going side ways but we have put a lot of emphasis on our back and I think in some of the tournament we were second best in terms of missed tackles and tries conceded.

“I think it’s a working progress and if we can apply those strategies and techniques consistently for games and across the tournament we will be good to compete.

“As far as the attack is concerned everyone was crucifying and criticizing the team that we are not spreading the ball and I always say it’s easier to play a more attacking game and then open up but we are not used to it.

“What we are doing at the moment we are taking the team a step back to the basics making sure we can catch and pass the ball since we have seen most of our players doing mistakes on it going ahead to do simple mistakes like passing the ball forward,” he offered in mitigation.

“We would like to play a more open game unfortunately for us at this stage we are striving to get it right since we can’t get the ball away and the players fully understand other teams put us under pressure.

“There are two ways to play it wide, one is to pass, kick the ball wide or to the space but unfortunately our kicking skills are not up to the standards which we are working on as well as the passing the key passes quicker.

“For now we are concentrating to secure the ball in the breakdown, at the Scrum and line up after that anything is possible,” he expounded.

Amonde who just came from a shoulder injury that saw him miss Las Vegas and Wellington 7s will once again sit out when his beleaguered colleagues prepare Scotland and England.

“I feel bad missing the last two rounds due to injury but the boys will face a tough outing, I just wish them all the best. We did not perform well in Hong Kong since that was below par our performance.

“Our fans cannot understand that it’s not easy getting to a new system of play from scratch and get it from the beginning its takes time but we are buying into it.” The skipper who was up beat they will bounce back next season stated.

Kenya Rugby Union Chairman (KRU) Mwangi Muthee, who accompanied the team in Hong Kong, said the team is still in transition and will pick up in the 2014/15 season.

Despite piling pressure to the technical bench over concerns of poor run from supporters including their patron President Uhuru Kenyatta, Muthee, challenged the technical bench to utilize the off season well to strengthen the squad that will qualify to 2016 Olympics Games in Rio de Janeiro.

At the same time he urged rugby enthusiasts to give the technical bench time to execute their plans as they continue to build the team for the global showpiece.

“I was with the boys in Hong Kong and I can say that Treu is rebuilding the team, a lot of work is in progress. We should be doing better than our performance at the moment but a lot of good things are on the way so for now let’s give the technical bench time to do what they have in their plan.

“A lot has changed from last season and after having a sterling performance last season, teams have upped their game knowing Kenya is a strong side and that’s why the World Series has become extremely competitive this season,” the KRU boss explained.

The chairman was optimistic Shujaa will perform better and can push in London for the Main Cup title.

“I don’t expect the last two legs to be radical. There will not be many changes to the squad but I expect the technical bench to come up with a new strategy.

“After this season we will have to evaluate on our performance and the teams above us and ask our selves where did we get it wrong and work out to be at par with them next year.

“The top five teams, New Zealand, South Africa, Fiji, England and Australia have pulled out from the rest making it tough for all the10 countries that are struggling to catch up with them not Kenya alone.

“The game is getting better and competitive every day and I’m happy with the boys since they are getting along with Treu’s new style of play bearing in mind he took the team in mid season,” Muthee added.

The team that is yet to reach a Cup semi-final will go back to the drawing board to prepare for the final legs in Scotland on the weekend of May 3 and 4 where they are drawn in a tricky Pool C alongside Tokyo 7s champions Fiji, Wales and Argentina before they head to England for the London 7s a week later.as

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 2 – The scenic stage is set for the spanking new S2000 Proton cars to make their Kenya National Rally Championship (KNRC) debut during the third round of the competition against a backdrop of lush highlands of Kiambu County on the weekend of April 26 and 27.

Organisers of the event dubbed KCB Home Loan Kiambu Rally, Rallye Sports Club (RSC), have promised a spectacle to match the excitement generated by the shipping into this shores of the superior speed demons by deposed KNRC champion, Car ‘Flash’ Tundo and Alistair Cavenagh, who are revving to give the S2000s a run out.

However, the Kiambu race will be held in closed roads traversing the Cianda, Mbo-i Kamiti, Migaa Estate and Tatu City private properties and according to RSC chairman, Phineas Kimathi, competitors and fans are in for a rare treat.

“We have completed 70 percent of the program and we have just concluded our training rally last weekend in Migaa and it went on very well.

“We are excited, but obviously we have a few improvements to make on the route and in the general planning,” Kimathi, a former crowd favourite in the local circuit, enthused during the launch of the Kiambu showdown in Nairobi on Wednesday.

Stephen Mwangi, co-driven by Stephen Nyorri navigated their Subaru Impreza N10 to victory in the RSC Formula Club Series event held at the course last Sunday.

More than 40 drivers have confirmed participation in the rally that will cover a total of 183 kilometres of competitive driving.

At the same function Clerk of Course, George Mwangi, cautioned crews saying the rally will prove a challenge to them as all sections are new and extra attention is required to navigate through the route.

“Ideally we would call it a navigator’s rally but it boils down to the crew because these roads have never been rallied before.

“So when they go for the recce; they have to be very particular about how they do their notes. On the day of the event, the navigator has to be awake to give the correct notes and also for the driver to react to them. It’s a very technical rally and I can tell you the longest inter-distance between instructions is 600m, it’s that tight,” the clerk underscored.

The Proton Satria S2000 unveiled

Guests and media at the launch were given a taste of one of the new Proton Satria S2000 to be driven by Tundo and his trusty navigator by Tim Jessop.

Former national champions Tundo and Cavenagh recently acquired the two identical machines prepared by MEM sport.

The entry of the S2000 vehicles will see the dominance of Group-N rally cars being disrupted.

There will be four stages to be repeated on Saturday and Sunday and will tackle the tight and corner strewn terrain in Cianda (22km), Tatu City (30km), Mboi Kamiti (17km) and Migaa (10km).

Migaa will serve as Service Park, Spectator Stage and Rally Headquarters. Recce is programmed to start from 6 am to 6pm on Friday and continues the following day from 6am to 10am.

Scrutineering will be at San Valencia Gardens on Riara Road on the same day from 10am.

The Migaa section has been dedicated to the memory of the late Kenya Racing Team driver Ben ‘Baba Chiru’ Muchemi.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 3 – The countdown to the inaugural World Relays Championships gathers steam this Saturday with the penultimate Safaricom Relays Series meet at Kasarani that will pave way for the IAAF World Relays Championships Trials on April 26 at the same venue.

AK has made the meet open to all athletes rather than focusing on the invitational format to encourage more hopefuls to try out for a chance to represent their nation in Bahamas on May 23 and 24.

AK vice-president in charge of administration and competitions, David Okeyo, explained, “This will allow those athletes chasing qualifying standards to do so and also have adequate time to prepare for the national trials.”

He called on athletes to turn out in large numbers with the federation putting plans in place to cater for the influx by extending registration to race day.

Okeyo was speaking when presiding over the closing ceremony for this year’s Kenya Technical Training Institute Sports Organisations games (KETTISO) at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Thursday.

The final phase will be conducted on April 26 to select a team that will represent the country at the World Relay Championships in Bahamas.

“Kenya has been a power house in the relays and we first won the Olympics gold during the times of Charles Asati, the late Julias Sang, Robert Ouko and Hezekiah Nyamau. We have never forgotten about them up to now and that means there is talent in the short races.

“I’m happy the IAAF has initiated the relays to be run as the championships on there own and therefore we have come up with a series that will be run for three phases to select the team that will go to residential training camp for three weeks before they head to Bahamas for the first edition,” Okeyo expressed.

The Vice President, who dismissed claims that the first held on March 22 was disorganized, added the final Trials will be by invitation only before a panel of selectors name the squad that will represent Kenya at the inaugural in Bahamas.

“The first was a build up and the turn up was good, I know people always say we did not see the big names but how did the big names come up?  They also came from somewhere so we are giving others a chance to grow. We are starting the event with the straight events before the main event in the afternoon.”

Athletes will compete in the 4 x 100m, 4 x 200m, 4 x 400m, 4 x 800m and 4 x 1500m both men and women with Okeyo saying they will send a strong squad for the World Championships as Kenya look forward to maintain her 4 x 800m and 4 x 1500m men and women record.

Meanwhile, speaking at the same event where Kaiboi Technical Training Institute were crowned 2014 KETTISO champions, organisation chairman, Evans Bosire, said for the first time the annual games incorporated their counterparts from Special schools and confirmed they will make them a regular.

Karen technical for the deaf were among the 34 Institutes that participated in this year’s competition where they went on to win the short races, with 200m Deaflympics champion Beryl Wamira, dominating the Women’s 100m before leading her charges to clinch the 4x400m.

“We work on a principal of impartiality where we don’t discriminate against any one and that’s why you have seen the Karen Technical for the deaf joining us since they are studying the same curriculum with the rest.

“The competition has become very stiff with the standards going high since we are getting good times especially in the area of sprints. Some of the students can challenge national record holders,” the AK public relations officer explained.

Bosire who also serves as the principal of Keroka Technical Training Institute, the four time champions added the school games has become very competitive as institution keep on improving every year.

“We have always produced good athletes who have gone ahead to represent the country in the international events, like 10,000m runner Paul Tanui. So we are very serious in terms of sports especially athletics. We made a special request to AK to allow us participate as a region in the national trials.

“As defending champions (Keroka) we are facing a lot of challenges from other institutions, we have been winning it for the last four years so I’m happy to see other teams coming up.”

Kaiboi collected 19 medals to claim the title while Rift Valley Technical Training Institute was second with 16 as defending champions Keroka settled for third after bagging 15.

NAIROBI, Kenya, March 4 – AFC Leopards have denied appointing Italian Emanuele Filippini, as head coach as reported by a local daily on Friday.

Speaking to Capital Sport, Leopards Secretary General George Aladwa said they have not made any changes to the technical bench and James Nandwa remains the head coach.

He also conceded they have received many applications from foreign tacticians including Filipini to succeed the Harambee Stars assistant coach who is under fire after a slow start to the season.

“AFC Leopards have not made any changes in the technical bench and on behalf of the club as the spokesman, I want to assure our fans and members that Nandwa is still our head coach assisted by Mickey Weche, Washington Muhanji as the goalkeeper trainer and Francis Xavier as the team manager,” Aladwa told.

He stressed, “We have not appointed, Italian Emanuele Filippini as our new coach and I dismiss the report appearing in today’s papers.”

The Secretary General who has called a press conference on Tuesday next week to clarify the matter, called upon fans to turn up in large numbers on Saturday as Ingwe takes on Bandari in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top-Eight knockout opener at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium.

Even as the speculation on his future continues unabated, Nandwa was up beat they will give their best against the Dockers, urging his side not to underrate them after they were boosted by 2-1 win against league champions Gor Mahia last weekend.

“To play in a knock-out match is very difficult so we will approach the game with our heads high, opening the game but at the same time being cautious. We have been creating chances and that why I field many midfielders, but our problem is on the finishing.

“Bandari is a good team since they have good forwards who will make the match difficult but all and all our intention is to win and make it to the semi-finals,” the Harambee Stars assistant tactician explained.

However, the coach urged fans to criticize the team positively since changing of the technical bench will not solve anything.

“We are working every day to ensure we post good results and no player or coach wants to perform poorly. There is no strategy to win the league our aim is to focus on every match to ensure we win.

“Our fans should support the team whether they win, draw or lose since this id their team and not Nandwa’s. Coaches will come and go but the team will remain forever,” he added.

The den has received a boost in their squad as forward Jacob Keli who missed Bandari’s match after being involved in a commercial shoot and left back Abadalla Juma, who was injured will be available for selection.

Dependable forward Allan Wanga, winger Noah Wafula, keeper Wycliffe Kasaya and skipper Martin Imbalambala are still nursing injuries.

As Nandwa boast of having a solid defence, Bandari on the other hand have lethal forwards with the likes of Kepha Aswani and Mohamed Mwachiponi expected to give Ingwe back four the run of their money.

On Sunday defending champions Tusker FC will square it out with Sofapaka at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 5 – Super-sub Charles Okwemba’s first touch forced Bandari defender Omar Islam to turn the ball into his own net in the third minute of added time as AFC Leopards secured passage to the Kenyan Premier League Top 8 semi-finals with a 1-0 win at Nakuru’s Afraha Stadium on Saturday.

With an eye on post-match penalties to decide the winner of a keenly contested encounter, Ingwe coach James Nandwa hauled in Okwemba and seconds later, the midfielder’s low cross in the box was turned into the net by the retreating Omar with the substitute turning into an instant hero among the Leopards faithful who chanted his name to the nines.

“This is the luck this team needed. Even if we lost this game today, we would not have deserved it since we created many chances and we have been doing so. This could be our turn around, an own goal in the last minute could be our motivation.

“I keep saying this team needs time and it will deliver and fans need to be patient. I’m happy this has happened because I knew it was a matter of time things went our way,” under fire head coach, James Nandwa, said after the final whistle sparked huge celebrations on the Leopards’ bench.

Although Bandari’s forays upfront were at a premium, their coach, Twahir Muhiddin was seconds away from getting to contest the lottery of penalties on their Top 8 debut before Okwemba’s intervention.

“We did not play well and we deserved to lose but there is nothing to worry about because there is much to play for in the remainder of the season,” the former Harambee Stars head coah told.

In truth, the defensive discipline that saw the Dockers topple Gor Mahia last weekend in the KPL almost reaped dividends as Leopards were restrained to a point of silencing their vocal fans.

Leopards dominated for the better part of first-half with Jacob Keli, coming close in the 35th but last year KPL top scorer could not apply the finish allowing defenders to clear the danger.

Three minutes later, Keli was at it again squandering another chance in the box after receiving a fine pass from Nigerian Austine Ikenna, but he placed his shot wide.

In the 41st, winger Paul Were thought he had scored after receiving a pass from Keli, only for referee to rule the effort off-side.

Two minutes later, Ali Bai, could  give the Dockers the opener with his well taken free-kick that beat keeper Martin Musalia, only to see his effort hit the cross bar as both went to the breather locked at 0-0.

In the 50th minute,  Duncan Otewa was forced to clear the ball off Keli’s feet after Were brought in a corner from the left flank.

Musalia had to rise to the occasion and keep Leopards in the game after rescuing substitute Ibrahim Kitawi’s free-kick.

Leopards are now through to the two-legged semi-finals of Top-Eight and will wait to see their opponents after all the preliminary matches are complete.

On Sunday, defending champions Tusker FC will take on Sofapaka in the second knock-out match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

PARIS, France, April 6- The dream, said Kenenisa Bekele before the Schneider Electric Marathon de Paris, would be to break the world record on his marathon debut. His dreams may not have turned into reality at the IAAF Gold Label Road Race, but his triumph in a course record of 2:05:03 was far from a nightmare.

Having won global titles on the track outdoors and indoors, as well as on cross country, road running was the only area of distance running that Bekele had not yet conquered.

Now it looks as though he is well on his way to doing that.

Bekele and his agent Jos Hermens had explained this week that part of their reason for choosing this race over any other is that Paris organisers were able to build the race around Bekele, whereas in London he would have simply been one of the many other star runners.

Headed by three pacemakers – Abraham Kiplimo, Silas Kipruto and Erick Leon Ndiema – Bekele was one of a large group of about 16 runners as they went through 5km in 14:43 and 10km in 29:35, suggesting a possible finish time of about 2:04:50.

The group had been whittled down to 12 runners at 15km, which was passed in 44:15, and it soon became clear that they wouldn’t hit the somewhat optimistic pre-race target of hitting the half-way mark in 1:01:40.

Instead they went through 13.1 miles in 1:02:09, still incredibly quick, and two of the pacemakers dropped out, leaving nine runners up front, including remaining pacemaker Kipruto.

At 25km, passed in 1:13:53, Kipruto dropped out which left Bekele as the leader. Just two kilometres later, he pushed the pace with fellow Ethiopian Tamirat Tola joining him at the front. Mike Kigen, Limenih Getachew and Gideon Kipketer had formed a three-man chasing pack about 20 metres behind.

After passing 30km in 1:28:39, Bekele kicked on and was out in front alone, still set for a time in the region of 2:05 as a course record looked more and more likely.

But then at 34km, Bekele looked across to his manager Hermens, who was on the back of a motorbike, and, with a slight grimace on his face, pointed to his hamstring.

Nevertheless, he pressed on and went through 35km in 1:43:36, his lead having grown to 45 seconds. Behind him, Getachew had moved into second place as Tola began to fade. Further back, Jackson Limo had passed a tiring Kigen.

As Bekele went through 40km in 1:58:31, the victory now looked guaranteed. There were no further signs of being troubled by injury, or by any of the other opponents for that matter.

Followed home by a swarm of cyclists and joggers with a burst of confetti ahead of the finish, Bekele crossed the line in 2:05:03 to take nine seconds off the course record set two years ago by Stanley Biwott.

Bekele’s winning time is the sixth-fastest marathon debut in history on a record-eligible course. Significantly, it is also the fastest ever debut by someone older than 30.

Behind him, Getachew finished a comfortable second in 2:06:49 while Luca Kanda came through to take third in 2:08:01. Robert Kwambai was fourth in 2:08:48 and Limo fifth in 2:09:05 as the top five finishers all set PBs.

“I had no marathon experience before today and it was very tough,” said Bekele. “But I ran the time that I expected.

“After 25km I pushed on alone. My hamstring was cramping after 25km to 30km so I was a bit worried and it was very tough, but it was okay in the end.”

Cheyech smashes PB to win women’s race

Kenya’s Flomena Cheyech lived up to the pre-race expectations to win the women’s race, but while her victory wasn’t a shock, her winning margin and finishing time were both something of a surprise.

A comparatively smaller lead group ran together in the first half, passing 15km in 51:04. Cheyech took up the running soon after as she began her long run for home.

She upped the tempo as her lead grew. Despite looking tired in the closing stages, she still had enough to finish off the job, crossing the line in 2:22:42 to take almost two minutes off her previous PB, set last year when winning in Vienna.

Although some way off the 2:21:06 course record set last year by Boru Tadese, Cheyech’s performance was the fourth-fastest winning time in the French capital.

Almost four minutes behind, Ethiopia’s Yebrqual Melese took second place in 2:26:21, taking more than three minutes off the PB she set earlier this year in Dubai on her marathon debut. Compatriot Zemzem Ahmed, a former steeplechaser, finished third in 2:29:35.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 6- Tusker captain and keeper Samuel Odhiambo, rescued Eugine Asike’s sudden death spot-kick to help the defending champions sail through to the Kenyan premier League (KPL) Top 8 semi-final after a hard fought 6-5 win on post-match penalties over Sofapaka on Sunday at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium.

Both sides were locked one-all in regulation time with Batoto Ba Mungu opening the scoring on the stroke of half-time through Humphrey Mieno before Kevin Kimani converted a penalty in the 69th to level.

Sofapaka had a chance to seal the match in regulation time but Kasolo Mustapha squandered chances that could have put them 3-0 up before the equaliser.

Both skippers had to rescue their charges in added time with Odhiambo, stepping in first to clear the danger in the box before his opposite number Felly Mulumba, did the same to force referee Davis Omweno to blow for full-time and invite spot-kicks.

The Brewers converted all their efforts through Odhiambo, Ismael Dunga, Brian Osumba, Kimani, Jesse Were and Jockins Atudo while Mulumba, Clifton Miheso, Mieno, Anthony Ekaliani and John Baraza scored for Sofapaka before Asike missed his.

“The match was difficult since it was a knock out. We played cautiously because we had to rest some players for Wednesday’s league match so balancing the squad was not easy and that added weight to the game.

“There is a negative part of coming one goal down since we usually concede first forcing us to compose ourselves and build the mentality once again. This is risky since it lowers our concentration something that we will work out on. I’m happy to reach the semis and my intention is to defend the title,” Tusker coach and former Harambee Stars tactician, Francis Kimanzi, told after the match.

On his part Sofapaka coach Sam Timbe, said they could have won the match in regulation time but blamed the referee for awarding his opponents the penalty alleging it was not genuine.

“We should have won the game in 90 minutes but we defended instead of continuing to attack and that cost us, but football is like that we failed to execute and Tuker woke up to take the day.

“We will work hard so that we can finish top- eight and compete next year but for now our attention shifts to the league and GOtv Shield,” the Ugandan said.

Batoto Ba Mungu were first to threaten with only six minutes of play when Kosolo found Enock Agwanda in the box who hit the side post.

The Brewers responded five minutes later with Were providing for Clifford Alwanga who unleashed a cracker in the box but keeper Barnabas Tiema rescued the danger.

Alwanga could have given Kimanzi the opener in the 14th when he beat defender Collins Shivachi from the left flank but once again he was denied by Tiema who punched for a corner that forced the former AFC Leopards custodian to clear Lloyd Wahome’s shot.

Six minute later Kasolo had a chance to break the deadlock through a counter attack in the right wing with Odhiambo to beat but he directed his strike direct to the custodian.

In the 20th Alwanga passed the ball to Were who was too slow for Tiema to slide on the ball as last year’s KPL top scorer runners up pleaded for a penalty but Omweno awarded the foul to the goalkeeper.

Sofapaka continued to pile pressure on Tusker’s defence with John Njoroge bringing in a cross in the 40th to force Wahome head out for a corner that saw Odhiambo recue Clifton Miheso’s header.

On the stroke of half-time, Sofapaka could attack with Agwanda providing a cross from the right wing but Kasolo failed to head home in the 44th.

A minute later, their efforts paid off when Mieno capitalized on Wahome’s poor clearance on Njoroge’s cross  to notch the opener and give Timbe 1-0 lead to the break.

Tusker entered the last half attacking looking for the equaliser with Andrew Tololwa attempting to beat Tiema with his left foot shot but the Sofapaka keeper was on the right position to handle the threat.

Batoto Ba Mungu could have doubled in the 54th when Njoroge found Kasolo who was left with Wahome to beat but he once again  hewasted the chance as the defender shielded the ball for a goal kick forcing Timbe to substitute him for Elli Asieche.

Substitute Joshua Oyoo could have levelled five minutes later but Tiema saved the danger to keep his charges on the lead.

Kimani restored parity for the Brewers through a spot-kick in the 69th when Asieche infringed Alwanga in the box who was ready to connect Were’s cross, forcing Omweno to wave at the spot and the2011 KPL player of the year stepped in to convert and bring back his charges to the game.

Both skippers had to clear danger in their territory in the added time with Tusker surviving first when Odhiambo  stepped in first before Sofapaka’s Mulumba cleared Were’s cross in the added time to force the match to penalties.

Both teams converted all their normal five kicks but it was Odhiambo who stood out after rescuing Asike’s sudden death penalty to see the defending champions join AFC Leopards in the two-legged semi-finals.

PARIS, April 7- Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha will return after nearly a year out injured at the Diamond League meet in Doha on May 9, organisers said on Monday.

The 25-year-old Kenyan world record holder twisted his knee in training in New York last May, and could not defend his title at last year’s world championships in Moscow.

It will the sixth time he has competed in the Qatar event which is the first in the 14-leg Diamond League calendar this season.

“Of course I was injured last season,” said the 25-year-old Kenyan, who won in Doha last year for the fourth time. “That was disappointing but I’ve worked hard to get fit and healthy again and I am looking forward to running the 800m in Doha.”

Rudisha, who produced one of the finest moments in Olympic history with his spectacular 1:40.91 world record run in London, has been a familiar fixture in Doha since his first appearance in 2007.

That year, as a junior, he finished sixth, but returned the following year to claim his first victory in 1:44.36. He was fourth in 2009 but bounced back with solid victories in 2010 and 2012, clocking 1:43.00 and 1:43.10 respectively, both early season world-leading marks.

“I am very happy to be coming back to Doha. It’s a meet that has always had good races and been a good start to my season,” Rudisha said.

“This is a year without a major championship so I have time to progress and get back to my best. I hope to run in Glasgow at the Commonwealth Games however before that I am pleased to be back running in the Diamond League meetings.”

“We are really looking forward to welcoming back David Rudisha for the second time after his historical performance at the London Olympics,” said Qatar Athletics Federation secretary general Mohamed Al-Kuwari.

“He truly is one of the best athletes in the world, already a legend of his event. Like many other athletics fans, we will be very interested to see him back in competition after he missed most of last season due to injury.”

Leading the charge against the Kenyan will be Nijel Amos of Botswana who finished second to Rudisha in London, clocking a world junior record of 1:41.73, while Qatar will be well represented by national record-holder Abdulrahman Musaeb Bala (1:43.93), the 2013 Asian champion.

Andrew Osagie, another London 2012 finalist, will also be in the field on the heels of his second successive world indoor bronze medal-winning run.

Organisers also confirmed a high jump duel between Russian Olympic champion Ivan Ukhov and local hope Mutaz Essa Barshim, the London Games bronze medallist.

Ukhov edged closer to Cuban Javier Sotomayor’s world record 2.45m mark, with the Russian jumping 2.42m indoors this winter.

All eyes will be on Ethiopia’s Genzebe Dibaba, who broke the world indoor records over 1500m and 3000m in February.

NAIROBI, April 8- Britain’s double Olympic and world champion Mo Farah makes his eagerly-awaited marathon debut in London on Sunday, but has his work cut out with the jump-in distance and competition from top Kenyans and Ethiopians.

Kenya’s elite runners say they have little to fear from the newcomer to the distance, predicting a baptism of fire for Farah as he grapples with uncharted racing territory coupled with seasoned marathon veterans setting a punishing pace.

The 32-year-old 5,000 and 10,000m track star spent the better part of the winter training in Kenya’s high-altitude Rift Valley region in a bid to raise his game and compete against the world’s best.

Leading the elite field is Kenyan Wilson Kipsang, who holds the world record after clocking a spectacular 2:03.23 in Berlin last year and has won London in 2012. Observers of the sport see Farah as being capable of running a time of around 2:06.

“It’s not going to be easy (for Farah) and he’s not likely to win,” Kipsang told AFP.

Farah caused a scare last month when he collapsed after the New York City Half Marathon, in which he came in second behind Kenya’s Geoffrey Mutai and failed again to break the one hour mark for 21.1km (13.1 miles), something his competitors manage on a regular basis.

Mutai, who regularly trains with Kipsang, will also be racing London and will also be a fearsome competitor having won the New York marathon twice, as well as Berlin and Boston, where he clocked an unofficial world best of 2:03.02.

Still, Mutai said the Somalia-born Farah will be something of a dark horse in the pack.

“He’s actually very fit and he will give us a big push in London,” Mutai said, adding: “We are ready for his challenge.”

Fellow Kenyan Emmanuel Mutai, another rival who holds the London marathon course record of 2:04.40, said Farah’s only hope would be if the Kenyans and Ethiopians set out at too fast a pace and hit the wall — repeating what happened a year ago.

“I’m only hoping the runners do not try to break each other down in the fight for the lead during the early part of the race like we did last year, to our own detriment,” he said.

Early pace-setting will be provided on Sunday by the legendary Haile Gebrselassie of Ethiopia, who is under instruction to take the athletes through the first 30km at the world record pace.

The elite Ethiopian contingent is also strong: the diminutive but gritty racer Tsegaye Kebede will be there to defend his London title, sub-2:05 runners Ayele Abshero and Tsegaye Mekonnen will be in the pack while 10,000m world champion Ibrahim Jeilan will also be making his marathon debut.

LAS VEGAS, April 9- Only three days after being inducted into the WWE Hall of Fame, James Hellwig, who wrestled professionally as “The Ultimate Warrior,” died Tuesday at 54, WWE officials announced.

No cause of death was given. TMZ reported Hellwig collapsed outside an Arizona hotel on Tuesday night and was transported via ambulance to a hospital, where he was pronounced dead.

Hellwig appeared on WWE Raw on Monday in New Orleans on USA Network to a rousing ovation from fans, only a day after WrestleMania XXX.

Known for his extremely muscular physique, long, shaggy hair and colorful face paint, The Warrior feuded with many of the then-WWF’s biggest stars, including Hulk Hogan and Randy “Macho Man” Savage during his career.

He defeated Hogan at WrestleMania VI to become champion, and was also an ex-Intercontinental champion.

The Ultimate Warrior’s career spanned 13 years, from 1985-98, and included three stints in the then-WWF. His most memorable run came from 1987-91. He came back for short stints in 1992 and 1996.

After being inducted into the Hall of Fame Saturday in New Orleans on the night before WrestleMania – the WWE’s biggest event – Hellwig appeared on Raw on Monday and seemed to foreshadow his death.

Hellwig began his speech in his own voice, saying, “As I thought about what I was going to say this evening, it’s been hard for me to find the words.”

He then pulled a mask out of his pocket that looked like the face paint he wore at the height of his career and switched into the Warrior’s voice.

“Well then, Warrior, you shut up then and let me do the talking,” he said, as the crowd roared its approval.

“No WWE talent becomes a legend on their own. Every man’s heart one day beats its final beat; his lungs breathe their final breath.

“And if what that man did in his life makes the blood pulse through the body of others and makes them believe deeper in something larger than life, then his essence, his spirit will be immortalized by the storytellers, by the loyalty, by the memory.”

He had long feuded with WWE management, but that seemed to end once he was elected to the Hall of Fame.

There was a photo of WWE CEO Vince McMahon and Hellwig warmly embracing at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

“WWE is shocked and deeply saddened to learn of the passing of one of the most iconic WWE superstars ever, The Ultimate Warrior,” the WWE statement read. “Warrior began his WWE career in 1987 and quickly went on to become one of the biggest stars in WWE history. Warrior became WWE Champion at WrestleMania VI, defeating Hulk Hogan in an epic encounter.

“We are grateful that just days ago, Warrior had the opportunity to take his rightful place in the WWE Hall of Fame and was also able to appear at WrestleMania 30 and Monday Night Raw to address his legions of fans. WWE sends its sincere condolences to Warrior’s family, friends and fans.”

The WWE said Hellwig was 54 and is survived by his wife Dana and his two daughters.

Shock coursed through social media when news of his death was confirmed.

Iron Sheik included a video of himself on Instagram in which he said, “Ultimate Warrior, I heard something tonight and I got shocked. I could not even believe it. But I want to let you know, whatever I said, I didn’t mean it with the words. I love you. Rest in peace.”

Former Yahoo Sports columnist Dave Meltzer, the founder of The Wrestling Observer and the foremost expert on pro wrestling in the media, said Warrior was one of the sport’s most popular stars.

Meltzer said at Warrior’s peak in 1990, he was second only to Hogan in popularity among the then-WWF fans.

“Warrior and Hogan represented that period, the era of the big bodybuilders and he was a huge, muscular guy,” Meltzer said. “He connected well with kids and was a massive superstar at the time.”

Meltzer said Hellwig had long and bitter feuds with McMahon and WWE management, which included multiple lawsuits.

Meltzer said Hellwig had reconciled with WWE officials and brought his young daughters on stage with him at the Hall of Fame ceremony.

“I didn’t know him personally, but you could tell he lived for those kids,” Meltzer said of Hellwig and his daughters, aged 11 and 13.

“After the [induction ceremony], everybody got together and whatnot, but he disappeared to be with his kids.”

-By Yahoo Sport

LONDON, England, April 10- With less than 72 hours to her date with destiny, First Lady Margaret Kenyatta and her team continued training and making final preparations for the 42.195km London Marathon on 13th April.

On Wednesday, the team that includes members of her security detail ran for 5km at the Kensington Park, London where they were also briefed on the dietary regime to follow ahead of their debut in Sunday’s race where Ms Kenyatta is bidding to become the first First Lady in history to complete the classic distance.

According to the team’s physiotherapist, Japheth Kariakim, the initial high altitude training at Iten and Sagana prepared them to run longer distances for the purpose of developing endurance and resilience.

He said professionally, the intensity of training is normally expected to be high at the initial stages but as the race day approaches one needs to slow down in order to avoid injuries and muscle exhaustion.

Kariakim and the team coach, former world marathon and London champion, Douglas Wakiihuri, said they are taking the First Lady and the team through a process of ensuring that they achieve their goal of lasting the distance.

The team coach said the squad needs to take more carbohydrates and reduce intake of proteins and vitamins as the day of competition approaches.

Wakiihuri, the 1989 world and London titleholder said the strategy helps in preserving energy levels before the Marathon day.

He said another measure usually employed at this stage is manipulation of muscles by doing massage to reduce lactic acids and to improve blood circulation.

The First Lady and her team are participating in the marathon to raise awareness and funds for the ‘Beyond Zero Campaign’ which she launched on 24 January this year.

The initiative is aimed at improving maternal and child health care in Kenya as well as accelerating implementation of the national plan towards the elimination of new HIV infections from mothers to children.

On March 9, Ms Kenyatta, who will be supported by spouse and Head of State, Uhuru on Sunday, clocked 3:46:00 to complete the First Lady’s Half Marathon to become the first holder of her office to achieve the feat.

“I want to thank the Government of Kenya and the President who gave authority for First Lady to do the marathon. She has run in her heart and she gets up very early in the morning more than us; at 5am. How many can wake up at 5am? So she’s teaching us not to be lazy and to be a country of runners,” former women’s world marathon record holder, Tegla Loroupe, who ran alongside Ms Kenyatta, said after the race.

Another former record holder and two-time world champion, Catherine Ndereba, also ran alongside the First Lady, was full of effusive praise for her effort.

“To have that company of running with the First Lady it means a lot and how supportive our leaders are. She knows the pride of being a woman and a mother. I know what it means to hold a healthy baby after delivery and as long as this initiative will be there I will continue supporting it.

“It was nice pacing here and giving here morale. She is so energetic and has a lot of passion and I can say she is a marathoner coming up. What stood out today is when I saw our President waiting the First lady at the finishing line, it reminded me the way my husband used to wait me in front of the finish line of Chicago or Boston Marathon,” the four-time Boston Marathon winner told of the experience with running with the First Lady.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10 – Limping giants, AFC Leopards have sacked head coach James Nandwa and appointed former Harambee Stars custodian and their goalkeeper trainer, Washington Muhanji, on an interim role.

Club Secretary General George Aladwa confirmed the development Thusday announcing they are set to unveil their new coach next week.

“I confirm that Nandwa and his assistant Mickey Weche have been sacked and will immediately be replaced by Muhanji who will be in charge on Saturday when we host Nairobi City Stars.

“I call upon fans to maintain patience and turn out in large numbers in Mumias to support our team,” Aladwa told Capital Sport.

This comes barely less than 24 hours after the Harambee Stars assistant coach slumped to his second Kenyan Premier League defeat of the season following their 1-0 loss to newcomers KRA at Safaricom Kasarani Stadium.

Nandwa has been under pressure with fans demanding his departure after only chalking two wins in eight KPL games played, drawing four and losing two to see Ingwe sitting 10th on the log with 10 points.

He failed to take Ingwe past the first round of the CAF Confederations Cup after they were eliminated by South Africa’s SuperSport United on 4-2 goal aggregate.

Nandwa was appointed on interim basis last September, replacing Belgian Luc Eymael, who was shown the door after a series of poor performances that saw the entire technical bench that comprised of assistant Nicholas Muyoti and Team Manager Francis Xavier fired.

Xavier was later reinstated in Nandwa’s technical line-up while club’s former playing hero Mickey Weche, was named his assistant.

He was confirmed head coach after leading Leopards to the GOtv Shield title and a second finish in the league as arch rivals Gor Mahia lifted the title for the first time in 18 years.

However, things turned sour for Nandwa as he went four consecutive matches without victory at the start of the KPL season.

This ignited Ingwe fans who waited the soft spoken coach to pick a draw against Chemelil Sugar in KPL’s round six match at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium and demand for his resignation while chanting ‘Nandwa must go’ forcing the club’s stewards to escort him away from the charged supporters.

Nandwa’s second victory against debutants Top Fry Nakuru, muted the volume but it did not take long before they piled pressure on the Executive Committee to sack him after their loss to KRA.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 10 – James Nandwa boarded the luxurious state of art AFC Leopards coach and travelled to Mumias with the team, no doubt, taking a seat close to the front as the club boss as his charges eased on the back to enjoy the on board entertainment that includes a 42 inch LED screen.

On his mind as the bus snaked from Nairobi, through the beautiful Rift Valley and finally to their second home in western Kenya, the shock of a stunning midweek 1-0 defeat to promoted KRA, a second in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL), was still weighing on his mind when a phone call came after they had just disembarked in Mumias.

It was his club chairman, Allan Kasavuli, at the end of the line… after the usual pleasantries and a polite request for him and his deputy to step away from the rest of the squad came the bombshell…. ‘You’re fired,’ a bolt Nandwa did not expect when he rounded his squad and boarded the bus earlier in the morning.

It went beyond the famous Apprentice shows franchise where contestants are fired for failure but at least, they are given the chance to sit down in a boardroom.

Once again, the Harambee Stars assistant head coach who led Ingwe to the GOtv Shield last season had unceremoniously been bundled out of a top domestic side in a flash. It was reminiscent of how he was booted out of Tusker FC despite leading them to the title a few months earlier in 2008.

Speaking to Capital Sport, Nandwa, who was still in Mumias trying to pick up the pieces of his latest career low, explained how the dramatic Thursday unfolded.

He woke up as Leopards boss only to be forced to hand over the team to his goal keeping coach, Washington Muhanji, by late afternoon.

To him, the unfolding events were a local rendition of the popular Hollywood series, 24, starring Kiefer Sutherland as he waits for official communication from the club on Monday prolonging the uncertainty.

His assistant and club legend, Mickey Weche, who also travelled with the squad was not spared the axe either on the Day of Long Knives at the Den.

“It’s okay life must go on, as coaches we are used to it and we expect anything anytime and this is not the first time I have been to this situation.

“I encountered the same when I was at Tusker FC so its normal especially to big clubs like AFC and Gor Mahia where fans want a coach to perform always for them they don’t know what a draw or loss is,” the soft-spoken coach said with a tinge of regret as the project he intended to announce his return to the big time unraveled in disgrace.

But the manner he was hounded out of his job left a sour taste in his mouth having spent the better part of the past eight months attempting to revive the club that was stalling when he succeeded Luc Eymael, the Belgian who fell foul of the club after a three month stint last year.

“Its unfortunate the chairman informed me late when I had traveled with the team to Mumias, though I understand its pressure from fans. I received a call from our chairman today (Thursday) who told me that I, my assistant Weche and Team Manager Francis Xavier should step aside and wait for the Executive Committee to decide our fate in a meeting on Monday.

“So I’m just waiting to be given the official termination letter and if they give me my dues well and good I will just leave the club peacefully,” the Harambee Stars assistant coach narrated how his turbulent reign at the club came to an undignified end.

The deposed boss maintains he does not harbour sour grapes, wishing the team victory in his absence when they host Nairobi City Stars on Saturday at the Mumias Complex in the KPL, urging the players to give their all to Muhanji.

“Yesterday (Wednesday) we did not play well and during half-time I told the players to give their best since its all about their life and time to build their career but for us coaches we come and go. I’m happy they took it positively.

“I have no problem with Muhanji in fact I’m happy for him and I’ve already handed over everything to him, I wish him all the best for Saturday’s game and I’m sure the players will deliver so that they can shock the impatient fans.”

He delivered a parting shot to supporters who hailed him a hero only to turn against him when they hit rough waters this season, even going ahead to chant funeral dirges aimed at him using his native Luhya dialect from the stands.

“Its also good I step aside since the fans were saying bad things about me which is not good. Some sang for me ‘Luwere’ (a Luhya song sung during funerals). In our tribe it means they were wishing death upon me, which is a curse in itself,” Nandwa decried after ending weeks where he was literally, with no pun intended, a dead man walking in the Leopards hot seat.

The soft spoken coach leaves with the pride of leading Leopards to the GOtv Shield title and a second finish in the league as arch rivals Gor Mahia lifted the title for the first time in 18 years.

LONDON, England, April 12- It’s been a week of reflection and prediction in the build-up to the 2014 Virgin Money London Marathon, an IAAF Gold Label Road Race, which takes place on Sunday.

The traditionally stellar fields of proven stars have been supplemented by a pair of intriguing debutants, and the most prestigious pacemaker ever to set off from south east London.

Having, yet again, put together two elite line-ups to match any in the history of marathon racing, the organisers have thrown in extra spice for the British public in the shape of marathon neophyte Mo Farah, and added intrigue for global track fans with the presence of another 26.2-mile first-timer, Tirunesh Dibaba.

To cap it off they’ve lured Haile Gebrselassie to run as a pacemaker for the leading men; his task to take them through to 30km on world record schedule before stepping aside to let the drama to unfold.

And what drama there could be.

Gebrselassie himself has called this year’s pair of races “the best ever”, claiming he agreed to do the pacing duties merely so he could have a role in such a “special” event.

“I’ve never seen such big names in one race,” said the former world record holder this week.

“Both the men’s and women’s are fantastic. I’m just happy to be part of it. At least now I can be there at the start of the race.”

The runners who’ll follow in his famous footsteps include four of the fastest 10 men in history, and seven from the all-time top 20, not counting the great man himself.

Three in the line-up have run the distance in under 2:04, and no fewer than seven have sub-2:05 times to their name.

Kebede and Kipsang confident

Among the athletes who’ll be on his heels on Sunday morning are world record holder Wilson Kipsang, World and Olympic champion Stephen Kiprotich, defending London champion Tsegaye Kebede, and London course record holder Emmanuel Mutai, not to mention the two-times New York Marathon champion Geoffrey Mutai, and a batch of swift young Ethiopians led by their latest rising star Tsegaye Mekonnen.

Both Kebede and Kipsang have returned to London bouncing with confidence: Kebede after winning in such dramatic fashion 12 months ago, when he fought back from fifth place and a minute down at 35km to reclaim the title he’d taken three years before; Kipsang after breaking Patrick Makau’s world record at the Berlin Marathon last September.

The diminutive and ever-smiling Kebede went on to finish fourth at the IAAF World Championships last summer and then second in New York last November, bagging the lucrative World Marathon Majors prize in the process, and is now aiming to become only the fourth man to win the London title three times.

“Last year was amazing for me. I couldn’t believe it. After running in New York I have focused only on the London Marathon. I am in good shape and I will win again,” announced Kebede boldly.

Kipsang is in similar mood. The Kenyan was disappointed to finish fifth in 2013 when he faded in the closing stages, having dominated in 2012 when he missed Mutai’s course record by just four seconds.

Now, he perches proudly at the top of the tree as the world record holder. He is the only man with two sub-2:04 times, two of the three quickest times ever, and four runs under 2:05.

“I sit here today as the marathon world record holder so I feel full of confidence compared to last year,” he said on Thursday.

“We have a more experienced pacemaker in Haile this year. He will take us through halfway in 61:45. It won’t be easy, but I believe it’s possible to set another world record.”

As for the Mutai namesakes, who are unrelated, they both have something to prove in London: Emmanuel because he just missed out last year when he was overhauled by Kebede in the last half-mile, and Geoffrey because he dropped out on his London debut.

Emmanuel went on to join the exclusive sub-2:04 club when he was second in Chicago last October, while Geoffrey, of course, ran the quickest marathon ever seen in Boston in 2011, although it was not on a world record-eligible course.

Ethiopia’s emerging stars

Kebede leads an equally strong Ethiopian contingent that includes three young marathon runners who have all burst on to the scene in the last few years, plus the 2011 World Championships 10,000m gold medallist Ibrahim Jeilan who is making his debut.

The young guns include the 2012 Dubai Marathon champion, Ayele Abshero, and the 2011 World Championships bronze medallist, Feyisa Lilesa, who finished third and fourth respectively last year; while youngest of all is the 18-year-old Mekonnen, who set a world junior best for the distance on his debut in Dubai this January.

As for Kiprotich, he returns to the British capital after adding the World title in Moscow last August to his London 2012 Olympic Games crown.

Now a proven championship racer, the Ugandan was only 12th in New York last November and is still looking to make his mark in a big city event.

Quite what mark Mo Farah will make on his marathon debut has been the subject of much media debate over the last few days.

Great Britain’s double Olympic and world track champion is doing his best to play down expectations, officially setting his sights on Steve Jones’s long-standing British record of 2:07:13 which has survived for more than 28 years.

The women’s race is almost as strong with the 2012 Olympic champion Tiki Gelana, the double world champion Edna Kiplagat, and the twice Berlin champion and newly-minted world half marathon record holder Florence Kiplagat among defending champion Priscah Jeptoo’s main opponents.

No jitters for Jeptoo

Like Kebede, Jeptoo returns for her title defence full of confidence after a near-perfect year in 2013.

The 2012 Olympic silver medallist beat Dibaba to win the Great North Run in September, and then added the New York Marathon title two months later to secure half a million dollars as 2012-13 World Marathon Majors champion.

The Kenyan claims her focus is her own personal best of 2:20:14, but there’s been much talk of a threat to Paula Radcliffe’s women-only world record of 2:17:42 if wind and will power are blowing the women’s way.

One athlete who could get close on her day is Gelana, the fastest woman in the field with her best of 2:18:58.

The Ethiopian, who beat Jeptoo to the Olympic title in pouring rain at London 2012, claims to be in better shape than ever and has added motivation to do well this year following her collision with a wheelchair racer 12 months ago.

Gelana ended up sprawling, eventually finished 16th, with bruises to body and spirit, and a few months later dropped out of the World Championships marathon with a knee injury.

“The incident last year hurt me, it hurt my pride as well as physically,” said Gelana. “It has given me a lot of motivation to win this time, to show that I am still a good competitor. I’m prepared to run under 2:20 if I have to.”

The two Kiplagats also have a point to prove in London.

Edna has been runner-up here for the last two years, and was third in 2011, while Florence has yet to produce her best after finishing fourth and sixth on her two appearances so far.

Two other Ethiopians are also likely to be among the leading group – Aberu Kebede, who has twice won the Berlin Marathon, and Feysa Tadese, who won the Shanghai Marathon in 2012 and the Paris Marathon last April.

The experienced marathon runners will all keep a wary eye on another Ethiopian, as Dibaba steps up to the classic distance after a glittering career on the track.

Like Farah, Dibaba will carry a heavy burden of expectation as she sets off for her first marathon foray. She was due to make her debut in London last year but withdrew with a shin injury just a month out.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 13- Once again, the might of Kenya’s distance running majesty ruled the streets of London with record holder, Wilson Kipsang and two-time world champion, Edna Kiplagat, completing crushing victories in the men and women races of the blue riband race on Sunday.

Kipsang outlasted dark horse, Stanley Biwott, over the last two kilometres to shatter the course record in the men’s race when he stopped the clock in 2:04:29 for his second London win as the 2012 Paris Marathon winner came home in a lifetime best of 2:04:55.

Earlier, it was third time lucky for Kiplagat who edged out a gruelling battle with compatriot and Berlin champion, Florence Kiplagat to arrive at the tape in 2:20:21, three seconds ahead of her closest challenger as Kenya celebrated the 1-2.

Defending champion and pre-race favourite, Priscah Jeptoo, was forced out at around the 32km with what was reported to be a knee injury.

Kipsang reclaims the crown

With all pre race talk centred on the sparkling debut of British track star, Mo Farah, it was Kipsang, the world record holder (2:03:24) who ran away with the honours by deploying a front running master class in a field that boasted seven of the all time fastest marathoners.

The only major shock was it was Biwott, the veritable outsider, who stuck with the majestic running of the tall thoroughbred but even he could not stop the Berlin winner when he accelerated away for victory with 2km to go.

With a second victory after his maiden triumph in 2012 assured at that point, attention turned to the clock and by what margin he would lower the previous standard set by compatriot Emmanuel Mutai of 2:04:40 in 2011.

In the end, the clock stopped at 2:04:29, an 11 second improvement of the previous route best as Kipsang with Biwott being rewarded with a career best of 2:04:55, the time legend Paul Tergat owned the world record in 2003.

Behind the pair, defending champion Tsegay Kebede led the challengers’ home in third with 2:06:30, a second ahead of compatriot Ayele Abshero in what turned out to be an internal Ethiopian competition for bronze.

As for Farah, hard lessons on respecting the distance were handed out by the frenetic pace Kipsang set about attacking the course from the start as he finished eighth in 2:08:21, well outside his prime target of breaking the 29 year-old British record of 2:07:13 set by Mike Jones in 1989.

Former world marathon record holder, Ethiopian legend, Haile Gebrselassie, was among those signed up to pace the British star in a strategy that involved keeping Farah some distance behind the main contenders before attacking from behind.

“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”

“It was pretty tough. I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go. You learn — life goes on,” he added.

Edna edges Kiplagats’ battle

With the spotlight on the maiden bow over the 42.195Km by Ethiopian track queen, Tirunesh Dibaba, commanding the headlines, the last ten kilometres turned out to be an intriguing battle between namesakes Edna and Florence Kiplagat.

It was the two-time champion, who finished third in the 2012 event before going a place better last year, who out sprinted her younger compatriot to breast the tape in 2:20:20 as the Berlin champion who came to race after breaking the world half marathon record four seconds in arrears.

Tirunesh, the multiple Olympics and world champion finished a respectable third after stopping at a water point at 35km that knocked some of the pace out of her in 2:20:35.

Jeptoo who was in the reckoning suddenly pulled out as the came for the last ten in what was reported to be a knee injury.

LEADING RESULTS

Men

1. Kipsang, Wilson (KEN) 2:04:29
2. Biwott, Stanley (KEN) 2:04:55
3. Kebede, Tsegaye (ETH) 2:06:30
4. Abshero, Ayele (ETH) 2:06:31
5. Mekonnen, Tsegaye (ETH) 2:08:06
6. Mutai, Geoffrey (KEN) 2:08:18
7. Mutai, Emmanuel (KEN) 2:08:19
8. Farah, Mo (GBR) 2:08:21
9. Lilesa, Feyisa (ETH) 2:08:26
10. Vail, Ryan (USA) 2:10:57

Women

1. Kiplagat, Edna (KEN) 2:20:21
2. Kiplagat, Florence (KEN) 2:20:24
3. Dibaba, Tirunesh (ETH) 2:20:35
4. Tadese, Feyse (ETH) 2:21:42
5. Kebede, Aberu (ETH) 2:23:21
6. Augusto, Jessica (POR) 2:24:25
7. Gamera-Shmyrko, Tetyana (UKR) 2:25:30
8. Felix, Ana Dulce (POR) 2:26:46
9. Gelana, Tiki (ETH) 2:26:58
10. Kovalenko, Liudmyla (UKR) 2:31:31

LONDON, April 14- Ahead of Mo Farah’s much-hyped marathon debut in London on Sunday, few expert observers believed he stood any chance of winning.

But his lacklustre eighth place finish and modest time of 2hr 8min 21sec, which only puts him in the second-tier elite category and failed to even threaten a nearly 30-year-old British record, will be leaving the track star questioning if he has a future on the roads.

The lessons from his debut appear to be two-fold: firstly, the double Olympic and Worlds champion over 5,000 and 10,000m seems to be better built for speed, illustrated last year when he clocked the sixth fastest 1500m of all time.

Even his 5,000 and 10,000m golds have been more down to his wily racing tactics closed off with a staggering finishing kick, something that counts for little over 26.2 miles (42.2 kilometres).

Secondly, east African distance powerhouses Kenya and Ethiopia have raised the bar so high over the distance — their top runners regularly clocking times below 2:05 — that what was a good time a decade ago will now only leave you in the also-ran category.

On any given day, for every eight elite Kenyans and Ethiopians, one or two of them stand a chance of being in aggressive, record-breaking form — as was the case in London on Sunday for Kenya’s Wilson Kipsang.

“I will be back,” Farah told the BBC after the race. “I’m not going to finish it like this. I gave it my all but I’m disappointed I didn’t go out there and give what the crowd deserve.”

However, the 31-year-old Farah — who trained with the Kenyans at altitude for two months to prepare for London — refused to be rushed into a decision on his future, saying: “I’m disappointed but you try things and sometimes it doesn’t work, but you have to give it a go.”

Analysts, however, see Farah temporarily ditching his marathon ambitions and returning to the track for the time being, perhaps seeking to defend his track titles in Rio in 2016.

“It is a disappointing debut,” wrote Ross Tucker, a leading South African sports scientist who runs the influential sportsscientists.com website.

“What would be most concerning to Farah is that he ran pretty conservatively, and was on 2:06 pace for most of the race, and he still dropped substantially off that.”

He said the result “probably signals a delay in Farah’s marathon aspirations for a while. Back to the track for now, I would assume.”

Distance running site LetsRun.com said Farah’s performance “wasn’t awful” and gave him credit for making his marathon debut in London, which had which arguably assembled the greatest field in men’s marathon history.

But it also dismissed any chance of Farah ever being in contention for the race, and contrasted the performance with that of Ethiopian legend Kenenisa Bekele — whose 2:05:03 debut in Paris the previous weekend, a course record, sets him apart as a 10,000m champion who has made the succesful leap to the marathon distance.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 15 – The homecoming party for Wilson Kipsang to celebrate his second London Marathon victory in an epic course record performance last Sunday will have to wait.

Upon arrival at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in the early hours of Tuesday, the world record holder immediately left to board another flight for South Africa where he has been invited as a guest speaker at a sports conference.

Kipsang returned alongside women’s runner-up, Florence Kiplagat, 2011 champion and previous course record holder, Emmanuel Mutai and two-time New York winner, Geoffrey Mutai.

“When they gave me the opportunity to control I had to run my race. According to how I planned, I saw the guys (pacemakers) were going to run at world record pace.

“The only place to speed up was from 30km and that is what I did for the last 12km,” Kipsang told of how he crafted his latest crowning glory as he reclaimed the London crown in 2:04:29, over 11 seconds under the previous standard of 2:40:40.

The 2:03:38 standard bearer who was welcomed by a handful of joyous kin from his Iten home at the airport before he left them to connect to Johannesburg will return to train for the BUPA Great Manchester Run on May 18.

Kipsang threw a huge church-themed celebration when he returned from Berlin last September with the world record in his Mindililwo Village in Iten.

Mutai, the 2011 winner who finished seventh in 2:08:19, explained why he decided to run despite fainting and slipping in his hotel room on the eve of the showdown.

“I decided to run because my body felt fine but for about 27km before I started feeling pain and from there, I decided just to fight for the finish.

“Of course, I could not allow Mo Farah to beat me and that is why I chased him hard when I saw he was ahead of me and ensured I will get there ahead of me,” the deposed course record holder added detailing how he reeled in the debutant Olympics and Worlds double track champion to force him down the finishing order.

His fall injured his head, shoulder and hip joint after finding himself on the bathroom floor after passing out.

“I’m disappointed for not achieving my aim since I had trained well and I was confident I could achieve. Competing in such a tough field is a good test to tell where you are.

“For now, I will take two months or so to recover before I plan for my future. There are other races in the course of the year and I will think whether I will return to London again,” the 2010/11 World Marathon Majors winner said of his chances of featuring in London for an eighth time next year.

Florence delighted

Two-time Berlin winner and world half marathon record holder, Florence Kiplagat, said she lost to a more seasoned runner adding she still has much to learn in the distance after following two-time World Champion, Edna Kiplagat (2:20:20) across the tape four seconds in arrears.

“Marathon (running) is something different. Edna is so experienced in marathon, she has run many marathons and I still have to gain more experience from her.

“I’m very happy about my position and my time. We did not want a situation where somebody from another country came between us because we are proud of each other. Priscah was injured and she had to stop so we continued with Edna,” the runner-up told.

Defending champion, Priscah Jeptoo, was forced off with a knee injury with 30K done and is in Italy to receive treatment a development the runners-up regretted since it denied Kenya a potential clean sweep with debutant and Ethiopia’s track queen, Tirunesh Dibaba, clocking 2:04:35 for third.

Also arriving back from London was First Lady, Margaret Kenyatta, 50, who became the first holder of her office to complete the classic distance in 7:04:29 in the company of her spouse and Head of State, Uhuru Kenyatta.

She was competing to raise funds for her Beyond Zero charity that aims at equipping all 47 counties in the country with mobile clinics to encourage women and children to access healthcare.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 16 – Thika United forward David King’atua scored a brace to help Kenya Under-20 come from two goals down to draw 3-3 with visiting Italy Under-18 in a thrilling friendly match played at Nairobi’s Nyayo National Stadium on Wednesday.

The host were using the match as preparation for their return leg African Youth Championship qualifier against Tanzania to be played in Dar-es-Salaam this weekend after settling for a goalless draw in Machakos a week ago.

Moreno Ricardo opened the scoring after 10 minutes before Zottino Francesco doubled the advantage in the 21st through a penalty.

King’atua pulled one back in the 36th before Gor Mahia midfielder, Timona Wanyonyi, levelled early in the second half but the hosts found themselves 3-2 down after Ricardo notched his brace seven minutes later.

A minute past the hour mark, King’atua pulled the sides level once again for 3-3 to close the goal fest that had the scanty crowd that gathered at the stadium entertained nonetheless.

“It was a good learning experience knowing the Italians have  good structures right from the age of six. According to me the boys gave their best and kudos to them. My technical bench has really worked a lot to build the team.

“We have learnt a lot especially in set pieces where they are good at but on the overall, we played well despite lacking composure inside the 18 yard box. This is a good sign that we can go places if we can put our structures right,” John Kamau, who coaches King’atua at Thika United said after the pulsating encounter.

“Otherwise it was a morale booster ahead of our Tanzania game,” he added.

Italian coach, Massimiliano Moras, lauded the Kenyans recovering from a two-goal deficit to force the stalemate.

“In the first half we played well but my players relaxed in the second but we were playing a stronger team. Our opponents showed good impression because they were tactically and mentally fit,” he acknowledged.

Kamau started with a strong side that featured eight Kenyan Premier League players but it took his charges half an hour to settle in the game.

The visitors were the first to threaten after three minutes with Ricardo receiving a pass from Lenzini Cosimo, only for his effort to hit the cross bar.

After piling pressure in the Kenyan defence, their efforts paid through the forward who headed home Marconi Kevin cross from the left to break the deadlock.

Wanyonyi could have leveled in the 18th after receiving a through ball from Bandari forward Victor Ndinya, leaving him with keeper Beleve Marco to beat but he missed his kick as the relieved visitors defence cleared.

Three minutes later, Francesco doubled for Italy through a penalty after Nardi Mattia was hacked down in the box by Thika United defender, Vincent Mumbo with referee Davis Omweno not hesitating to point to the spot.

John Nairuka had the first shot on target for Kenya in the 25th striking straight at the keeper from the right.

The Thika United striker had another chance a minute later but he tapped wide from Wanyonyi’s header.

King’atua pulled one back  in the 36th, deflecting Ndinya’s shot just inside the box to beat keeper Beleve Marco.

Kenya should have made it 2-2  on the stoke of half-time but Ndinya headed wide Wanyonyi’s cross with no defender on his shoulder as the home team trailed 2-1 into the break.

The hosts returned a better side, restoring parity in the 49th through Wanyonyi who connected Nairuka’s pass from the right.

However, the draw was cancelled three minutes later where Ricardo took advantage of a defensive mix up to score his brace and take the Italians back in front.

Kamau charges did not cow and went on the attack and their efforts brought reward when the effervescent King’atua found the back of the net for his second in the 61st after Wanyonyi set him through.

Kenya dominated in the dying minutes with substitute Sammy Mejja seeing his shot hit the crossbar as the match ended 3-3.

The Italian side will next play Gor Under-19 in their last build up match at the same venue on Friday.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 17 – League champions Gor Mahia have been boosted by the return of Harambee Stars midfielder Anthony Akumu, who will be available for selection when they face plucky Thika United in the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) Top 8 quarter-finals at Machakos’ Kenyatta Stadium on Sunday.

Akumu makes a comeback after missing four matches following the knock he picked three weeks ago at Top Fry Nakuru.

However, K’Ogalo will once again miss the services of their captain and custodian Jerim Onyango, who was sidelined when the team beat Ulinzi Stars 2-1 in Nakuru.

This will be the first Top 8 match for coach Bobby Williamson, and the Scotsman says his charges will be aiming to reclaim the trophy they last lifted in 2012.

“We are looking forward to the game since it’s a competition we want to do well but we will have to work hard. We know how Thika plays, very defensive minded and they don’t concede easily but we have worked on that and I hope our forwards will be up to the task.

“We will try to win the game in regulation time, but for them (Thika) I don’t know their plan maybe they will defend the game and rely on penalties. We will consider what to do in the next two days of our training before the match so that will can be ready in either way,” Williamson told Capital Sport after completing their training session at Nairobi’s City Stadium on Thursday.

His opposite number John Kamau, had a different opinion saying there is nothing special about K’Ogalo since they have managed to hold them three times out of the last five encounters.

“Top 8 is a game like any others the only difference is that it’s a knock out game and as a coach I’m only left with one option and that’s to win the game because if I lose I’m out of the tournament. As a team we would like to improve on last year’s performance so it’s a match that we will give the most desirable attention and God willing we emerge the winner.

“The only special thing about Gor is the fans who act like their 12th man on the pitch which might make the difference but we are ready for them since we have played against them and we know how they play. The shift of venue does not affect me since I’m comfortable to play anywhere anytime because I’m ready,” the Thika United coach stated.

For Thika they will be looking to win the title for the first time after coming close last season where they lost 5-3 on spot-kicks to Tusker FC in the final after settling for a 2-2 draw in regulation time.

On the other hand Gor will be going for their second and hope to make history by becoming the first team to reclaim the trophy.

The Brookside sponsored side has been a hard nut to crack for K’Ogalo and no one can forget when they denied them the league title in 2012 after forcing a 1-1 draw in the last match of the season that saw Tusker crowned champions.

Both teams understand how the other plays with Thika having the bragging rights after holding K’Ogalo to a barren draw in their last encounter one month ago.

As Williamson will be fielding players who have not been regular, the likes of midfielders Dan Onyango and Joseph Kariuki as well as forward Jared Obwoge, his counterpart will be parading a strong first XI that comprises of keeper Hamuza Muwonge, defenders Simon Mbugua, Sammy Mejja and captain Dennis Odhiambo.

Kamau’s midfield will be manned by Joseph Kuria among others, with Moses Arita and David King’atua upfront.

In the first quarter-final Ulinzi will be up against struggling KCB at the same venue on Saturday.

Winner of each match will join defending champions Tusker FC and AFC Leopards in the home and away semi-final that kick-off next weekend.

NAIROBI, Kenya, April 18 – Sacked KCB head coach, Abdallah Juma has made a swift return to the technical bench after he was appointed the assistant at AFC Leopards on Friday to replace Mickey Weche who was axed alongside his boss James Nandwa a week ago.

Juma was sacked by the Bankers last Sunday after his sixth loss to the season that left KCB rooted at the bottom of the Kenyan Premier League (KPL) and will know his new boss next week when Ingwe unveil a head coach from overseas.

Also joining the Den is their former forward Richard Madegwa as the Team Manager and coordinator of youth programmes as Washington Muhanji, who has been in charge of the team on an interim role reverting to his position as the goalkeeper trainer.

“I’m delighted to announce the appointment of the two experienced gentlemen who will join as from today (Friday) as we wait to announce our new head coach next week. The process has taken long but it’s because we wanted to get the right people that will steer our team to good performance.

“We urge our members and fans to be patient and give the new technical bench support since as officials we have faith in them,” club secretary, George Aladwa said while making the announcement.

“It’s a good opportunity since Leopards is a big club that has experienced players. My good friend Muhanji has already briefed me on where the team has reached and I can say we are good to go. I’ve spoken with the team doctor who confirmed some of the injured players will be back soon.

“We are waiting for the head coach who will join us next week and I will give him all the support that he needs. I don’t see any pressure coming from fans because some of them have congratulated me and wished me all the best,” the immediate former KCB tactician who was at a loss to explain why he was axed told of his new appointment.

“I have no problem being the assistant because the officials wanted someone who knows Kenyan football well in the technical bench to advice the foreign head coach. I’m up top the task and my aim is to lift Ingwe to the top four where they belong,” the delighted Juma told Capital Sport.

Ingwe who are placed 11th in the KPL log on 11 points and will play Mathare United at Nairobi’s Nyayo Stadium in the mid-week fixture on Wednesday next week.