Kispiro finishes distant 8th as Kenyans take 5000m
Uganda’s Kipsiro (11) competing at the 2009 IAAF World Championship. He was beaten in Glasgow yesterday to 8th place in a disappointing performance from the 2010 double gold medalist. The race was won by Kenya’s Ndiku. AFP photo
What you need to know:
Kipsiro’s poor showing was evidence that the athlete, who was once Uganda’s golden boy on the track, is almost certainly in decline
GLASGOW- A time in sport comes when you have to concede that your heart is willing but your body is not. Moses Kipsiro is probably approaching that time, if he hasn’t already.
The 2010 Commonwealth double gold medalist finished a distant 8th, with a time of 13:28.23, in the finals of the 5000m in Glasgow yesterday evening in a race won by Kenyan Caleb Ndiku in a time of 13:12.07.
Another Kenyan Isaiah Koech took second to ensure gold and silver for Uganda’s eastern neighbours.
Bronze went to New Zealand’s Zen Robertson who ran a brave race and at one point threatened to spol the Kenya 1-2.
Hard questions
Kipsiro kept pace with the leading cluster for most of the race but when the chips went low, his momentum vanished. Still only 28, he will look back hard and wonder whether he has been affected by the wear and tear of competing at the biggest stage for so long over the last decade.
Still, Kipsiro was the best Ugandan on show. Timothy Torotich finished 11th after posting 13:35.02 while Moses Kibet clocked in 13:49.81 at 15th position.
Today’s programme features shooting and swimming events where Uganda will be represented. Likewise boxers Nasir Bashir and Fazil Juma will be in action against Patrick Emilian (Tanzania) and Lumbwe Bwalya (Zambia) respectively.
5000m Results
1. Caleb Ndiku (KEN) 13:12.07
2. Isaiah Koech (KEN) 13:14.06
3. Zen Robertson (NZL) 13:16.52
4. J. Kitur (KEN) 13:17.49
5. M. Ahmed (CAN) 13:18.88
6. A. Vernon (ENG) 13:22.32
7. T. Farrell (AUS) 13:23.96
8. Moses Kispiro (UGA) 13:28.23
9. J. Robertson (NZL) 13:29.69
10. N. Wilis (NZL) 13:34.46
11. Timothy Torotich (UGA) 13:35.02
12. C. Birmingham (AUS) 13:35.44
13. L. Caldwell (SCO) 13:43.75
14. F. Sulle (TAN) 13:44.65
15. Moses Kibet (UGA) 13:49.81
TEAM EVENTS (TODAY)
SHOOTING:Live on SS5
*Frederick Omedi, 50m rifle men’s qualification – 12:45pm
*Zahara Chelimo, Cleopatra Mungoma, 50m rifle prone women’s finals – 5:45PM
SWIMMING
*Men’s 50m freestyle – Heat 2
*Arnold Kisulo, Joshua Ekirikubiza, 12:49pm
BOXING
*Nasir Bashir (UGA) vs. Patrick Emilian (Tanzania)
*Fazil Juma (UGA) vs. Lumbwe Bwalya (Zambia)
ATHLETICS: Live on SS4
*400m Heats – 1pm
