U-18 track star shows why Kenya rules world athletics
A viral photo of a triumphant Kenyan athlete majestically strolling on the pristine tartan track at Kasarani with his utterly exhausted competitors sprawling on the ground has wowed his fellow countrymen.
The photo was taken moments after Edward Zakayo won a heats race in the boys’ 3,000m on Thursday on the second day of the IAAF World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi.
The youngster, who has vowed to see the nation retain the title on Sunday when curtains fall on the championships, staged a gun-to-tape show to win the race in a time of 8:04.85 ahead Ethiopian Milksesa Mengesha (8:05.87) and Bereket Michael of Eritrea who timed 8:24:54.
LAST MAN STANDING
But what happened thereafter is what captured the attention the crowd.
While nearly all his rivals collapsed in a heap on crossing the finish to catch their breath a gallant Zakayo gracefully strode away – the last man standing in the practical sense of the word.
And as you would expect Kenyans were quick to praise Zakayo for his showmanship infront of a global audience.
Sample some of their comments below o Twitter:
Congrats Edward Zakayo. We can relate. Our data speeds leave the competition breathless too. ? #wu18nairobi2017 #IAAFComesToKenya pic.twitter.com/EF5gJbrrn4
— Safaricom Limited (@SafaricomLtd) July 13, 2017
The guy who arrives in the club at 2am when everyone is drunk so that he can chipo easy meat pic.twitter.com/xeE4ZU1B0V
— 2 CHAINZU ?? (@ItsChanzu) July 13, 2017
Kenya vs. The Rest of the World in one picture ??????… #wu18nairobi2017 pic.twitter.com/KpYaOOx3zL
— aleckie ronald (@SirAlexas) July 13, 2017
In London Olympics 2012 Nicholas Chepseba, did it like a boss. Nairobi 2017: Edward Zakayo, did it again #WU18NAIROBI2017 #IAAFComesToKenya pic.twitter.com/5JtNvQmAh9
— KenyaMOJA.com (@KenMOJA) July 13, 2017
County & national government should have worked together to ensure we fill the stadium. Great opportunity for marketing us. #wu18nairobi2017 pic.twitter.com/6U1GSeCiW8
— #StareheNiBonnie (@bonifacemwangi) July 13, 2017
Some corporates also took advantage of the picture to market themselves.
Mkenya Daima! We are proud to be associated with the ongoing #wu18nairobi2017 games! pic.twitter.com/12wEj38rNF
— Kenya Airports (@KenyaAirports) July 13, 2017
We need a billboard for this last man standing!! Edward Zakayo cruises into the 3000m final in style. #wu18nairobi2017 pic.twitter.com/pWGqFVUoe9
— DAUDI (@ItsDaudi) July 13, 2017
In London Olympics 2012 Nicholas Chepseba, did it like a boss. Nairobi 2017: Edward Zakayo, did it again #WU18NAIROBI2017 #IAAFComesToKenya pic.twitter.com/5JtNvQmAh9
— KenyaMOJA.com (@KenMOJA) July 13, 2017
