Kenya: Chepseba Out of South Korean Safari

Nairobi Star (Nairobi)

Brian Otieno And William Njuguna

21 July 2011

Daniel Kipchirchir Komen has replaced Nixon Chepseba in the 1,500m team to the World Athletic championship in Daegu, South Korea, next month. In a surprise move that caught everyone unawares, Athletics Kenya vice chairman Lt Gen (Rtd) Jack Tuwei was at pains to disclose why they replaced Chepseba who has the world’s fastest time of 3:31.42, set in Shanghai this year and who they granted a wild card to Korea over the weekend after the national trials.

During the trials held at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday, Chepseba finished fifth clocking 3:33.96 in a race won by Commonwealth Games champion Silas Kiplagat with Olympic champion Asbel Kiprop finishing second and Komen coming home third. Chepseba was granted the wild card for South Korea while Komen was placed in the team headed to Maputo, Mozambique for September’s All Africa Games .

Tuwei said following a post mortem of the event they decided to switch the athletes. Now Chepseba will go to Maputo for the Panafrican Games and Komen to Daegu.”After every major event like the trials we normally sit down to review the performances of the athletes. We realised had made a mistake and have opted to rectify it,” Tuwei said. Chepseba was considered a medal prospect in the team alongside Kiprop and Kiplagat while Komen has failed to shine on the big stage at recent championships.

Tuwei also announced that the Kenya National Sports Council had slashed its allocation of athletes to the African Games from 55 to 44.”We have received our allocation from the council. It means we have to cut the numbers,” he said. Tuwei said they would appeal to the council to allow them at least 50. “We have very good athletes in the team and a good number of them have achieved the qualification times for the events in Maputo” added Tuwei.Those axed from the team include field event and sprint race participants.

The All African Games team: Men, Anderson Mureta, (200 meters), Anderson Mureta, Mark Mutai, Vincent Mumo(400m), Vincent Kiplagat Koskei, Job Kinyor, David Mutua, Boaz Lalang (800m), Nixon Chepseba,Cornelus Cheboi, Caleb Mwanagangi (1,500m), Willy Komen, Abel Mutai, Paul Kipsele Koech, Jairus Kipchoge (3000sc), Mark Kiptoo, Jacob Chesari, Vincent Yator(5,000m), Paul Tanui, Josephat Koech, Biden Karoki (10,000m), Bernard Kiprop, Leonard Kipkoech, Levi Matebo (half marathon) (4×100 m relay) Anderson Mureta, Mark Mutai, Vincent Mumo, Vincent Kiplagat (4x 400 m relay)

Women: Maureen Chelagat, Francisca Koki, Ednah Kwamboka (4x400m relay), Joyce Sakari, Maurine Chelagat, Grace Kidake (4x400m relay), Sylvia Chesebe, Nelly Chepkosgei, Jane Jelagat (800m), Irene Jelagat, Joyce Chepkurui(1,500m), Anne Karindi, Lydia Chepkurui, Eunice Kertich, Purity Jerotich (3,000m), Esther Chemutai, Hyyvin Kiyen, Janet Kisa (5,000m), Pauline Korkwiang, Pauline Njeri, Grace Momanyi (10,000m), Sarah Chepchirchir, Peninah Arusei, Doris Changeiywo Priscilah Nasimiyu, Daisy Chepngeno (half marathon)

AllAfrica – All the Time