NAIROBI, Kenya, August 8- Two-time Olympic champion and the pride of Kenya thus far at London 2012, Ezekiel Kemboi, is back in the country.
Kemboi arrived on Wednesday dawn and proceeded to Eldoret to take stock of his ground breaking achievement as he mulls the next step to his glittering running career.
“I’m resting now after the effort I put in winning the gold. I’m proud of what I did for my country but now, I need time with my family,” he told Capital Sport on phone from Eldoret.
“I trained hard for London and in the end, it was tough but I’m glad I made it. For now, I will take time before deciding my future,” the man who illuminated London 2012 by winning his second gold in the water and barriers race after his Athens 2004 success on Sunday added.
His arrival was low key compared to the fanfare that ensued when he ran 8:18.56 to reclaim the crown he lost to compatriot Brimin Kipruto in Beijing where he finished fifth.
Kemboi’s celebratory retinue that saw him among other things perform a rendition of his cross lane finishing and ‘Pamela Chepchumba’ dance from Daegu last year as well as wowing with comic gems at the post-race press conference endeared him to fans and media alike in London.
Already, blogs have collected photos from his victory procession especially when he jumped on French silver winner, Mekhissi-Benabbad (8:19.08) who held him aloft before they swapped running jerseys before rolling on the track and made them an object of fascination, such as this one http://mryoungscholar.wordpress.com/2012/08/08/kenyans-how-to-run-dance-and-hug-like-kemboi/
The Athens and London steeplechase winner has however, a pending assault case to face in yet another hurdle to his colourful life having been accused of stabbing a woman in his hometown in June.
Asked why his teammates have not emulated his golden achievement thus far, Kemboi quipped; “It all depends on the training. Everyone has his or her own way of preparing for an event.”
Priscah Jeptoo and Sally Kipyego have won silver in the women marathon and 10000m races with double world champion, Vivian Cheruiyot adding a bronze in the 25-lap race to add to Kemboi’s gold for Kenya’s tally.