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Here are Kenya’s medal prospects on closing day in London


After the disappointment of the penultimate day of competition, Kenya will on Sunday go all out to finish second at the IAAF World Championships in London.

On a Saturday night that Mo Farah and Usain Bolt ended their glittering track careers on a low, Kenya also failed to win any medals.

Former javlein world champions Julius Yego relinquished his title on a night to forget while Cyrus Rutto finished likewise under-performed in the men’s 5,000m race.

Yego finished last among the 13 finalist with a throw of 76.29m in an event that was won by Germany’s who attained a mark of  89.89m.

DRAMATIC RACE

The Czech Republic scooped the silver and bronze medals courtesy of Jakub Vadlejch (89.73m) and Petr Frydrych (88.32m).

In the  men’s 5,000m final, Rutto (13:48.64) finished 13th in a dramatic race that saw the retiring Mo Farah (13:33.22) being dethroned by Muktar Edris of Ethiopia who clocked13:32.79. Kenyan-turned-American Paul Chelimo took the bronze in 13:33.30.

Regardless, Kenya stayed in second place behind the USA with a total medal haul of 8 (3 gold, 1 silver, 4 bronze).

Thus on the final day, the burden of expectation will fall squarely Margaret Nyariera (women’s 800m) and the trio of Sheila Chepkirui, Margaret Chelimo and Hellen Obiri in the final of the women’s 1,500m.

Elijah Manangoi, Timothy Cheruiyot and Asbel Kiprop will also be in contention for podium places in the men’s 1,500m final.