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Kenya at the 2008 Summer Olympics

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Template:Infobox Olympics Kenya

Kenya competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Kenya won a total of 14 medals, 6 of them gold, its best ever performance at the Olympics.

Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes, 28 men and 18 women, to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women. The remaining medals won by Kenyans were divided into silver and bronze medals, with four each. Among the nation's gold medalists was Brimin Kipruto, who brought home the nation's seventh straight medal in the steeplechase since 1984. Coming in at a close third was Richard Matelong who was unable to surpass the Frenchman Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad. Kenya also marked its Olympic debut in taekwondo by sending two athletes, one man and one woman. For the first time in Olympic history, the Kenyan athletes had participated in the women's 800 meter event final. Shortly after the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the women captured a gold medal against many odds. Along with the gold, they also took home the silver as well. Pamela Jelimo led her fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei to a one-two finish.

Marathon runner Samuel Wanjiru did not only bring home the gold medal for the Kenyans, but also broke the 24-year-old Olympic record set by Carlos Lopes.

The Kenyans finished the Olympics being the most successful African country in the Beijing Olympics, and 15th place in the overall country standings. They also won 3 medals for rowing, 4 on the horses and 9 on the wheelchair basketball

Medalists

Medal Name Sport Event
 Gold Pamela Jelimo Athletics Women's 800 m
 Gold Brimin Kipruto Athletics Men's 3000 m steeplechase
 Gold Wilfred Bungei Athletics Men's 800 m
 Gold Nancy Lagat Athletics Women's 1500 m
 Gold Samuel Wanjiru Athletics Men's marathon
 Gold Asbel Kiprop Athletics Men's 1500 m
 Silver Janeth Jepkosgei Athletics Women's 800 m
 Silver Catherine Ndereba Athletics Women's marathon
 Silver Eunice Jepkorir Athletics Women's 3000 m steeplechase
 Silver Eliud Kipchoge Athletics Men's 5000 m
 Bronze Richard Mateelong Athletics Men's 3000 m steeplechase
 Bronze Micah Kogo Athletics Men's 10,000 m
 Bronze Alfred Kirwa Yego Athletics Men's 800 m
 Bronze Edwin Cheruiyot Soi Athletics Men's 5000 m

Athletics

Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The following athletes have been selected for the Olympics:[1]

Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Vincent Mumo Kiilu 400 m 46.79 7 Did not advance
Wilfred Bungei 800 m 1:44.90 1 Q 1:46.23 1 Q 1:44.65 SB 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Boaz Kiplagat Lalang 1:45.72 2 Q 1:45.87 3 Did not advance
Alfred Yego 1:46.04 2 Q 1:44.73 1 Q 1:44.82 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Augustine Choge 1500 m 3:35.47 3 Q 3:37.54 4 Q 3:35.50 10
Asbel Kiprop 3:41.28 1 Q 3:37.04 1 Q 3:33.11 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Nicholas Kemboi 3:41.56 11 Did not advance
Eliud Kipchoge 5000 m 13:37.50 2 Q — 13:02.80 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Thomas Longosiwa 13:41.30 4 Q — 13:31.34 12
Edwin Soi 13:46.41 1 Q — 13:06.22 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Micah Kogo 10000 m — 27:04.11 SB 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Moses Ndiema Masai — 27:04.11 SB 4
Martin Mathathi — 27:08.25 PB 7
Ezekiel Kemboi 3000 m steeplechase 8:17.55 4 Q — 8.16.38 7
Brimin Kipruto 8:23.53 2 Q — 8.10.34 SB 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Richard Matelong 8:19.87 2 Q — 8.11.01 3rd place, bronze medalist(s)
Luke Kibet Marathon — DNF
Martin Lel — 2:10:24 5
Samuel Wanjiru — 2:06:32 OR 1st place, gold medalist(s)
David Kimutai 20 km walk — 1:22:21 19
Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Elizabeth Muthuka 400 m DNS Did not advance
Pamela Jelimo 800 m 2:03.18 1 Q 1:57.31 2 Q 1:54.87 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Janeth Jepkosgei 1:59.72 1 Q 1:57.28 1 Q 1:56.07 SB 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Irene Jelagat 1500 m 4:09.92 9 — Did not advance
Viola Kibiwot 4:15.62 5 — Did not advance
Nancy Lagat 4:03.02 SB 1 Q — 4:00.23 PB 1st place, gold medalist(s)
Vivian Cheruiyot 5000 m 14:57.27 2 Q — 15:46.32 5
Priscah Jepleting 14:58.07 4 Q — 15:51.78 11
Sylvia Kibet 15:10.37 2 Q — 15:44.96 4
Peninah Arusei 10000 m — 31:39.87 18
Linet Masai — 30:26.50 4
Lucy Wangui — 30:39.96 7
Eunice Jepkorir 3000 m steeplechase 9:21.31 1 Q — 9:07.41 2nd place, silver medalist(s)
Ruth Bosibori Nyangau 9:19.75 2 Q — 9:17.35 6
Martha Komu Marathon — 2:27:23 5
Salina Jebet Kosgei — 2:29:28 10
Catherine Ndereba — 2:27:06 2nd place, silver medalist(s)

Boxing

Main article: Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya qualified five boxers for the Olympic boxing tournament. Bilali was the only boxer to qualify at the first African qualifying event.[2] The other four boxers all earned spots at the second African tournament.[3] In addition, welterweight boxer Nickson Abaka qualified for the Olympics, but missed the event due to injury.[4]

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Suleiman Bilali Light flyweight  Montero (DOM)
L 3–9 		Did not advance
Bernard Ngumba Flyweight  Doniyorov (UZB)
L 1–10 		Did not advance
Nick Okoth Featherweight  Reyes (MEX)
L 2–6 		Did not advance
Aziz Ali Light heavyweight  Muzaffer (TUR)
L 3–8 		Did not advance

Rowing

Main article: Rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A sole Kenyan rower has qualified for the Olympics:[5]

Men
Athlete Event Heats Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Matthew Lidaywa Mwange Single sculls 8:16.09 6 SE/F Bye 7:49.17 4 FF 7:52:59 30

Swimming

Main article: Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya sent two swimmers to Beijing.[6]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
David Dunford 50 m freestyle 22.29 20 Did not advance
Jason Dunford 100 m freestyle 49.06 24 Did not advance
100 m butterfly 51.14 4 Q 51.33 5 Q 51.47 5

Taekwondo

Main article: Taekwondo at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Two Kenyan taekwondo jins will compete at the 2008 olympics:[7]

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final
Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Opposition
Result 		Rank
Dickson Wamwiri Men's −58 kg  Chu M-Y (TPE)
L 0–7 		Did not advance
Mildred Alango Women's −49 kg  Wu Jy (CHN)
L 0–7 		Did not advance  Zajc (SWE)
W 2–2 SUP 		 Contreras (VEN)
L 0–1 		Did not advance 5

See also

References

  1. ^ IAAF, July 5, 2008: Kenyan Beijing squad announced as trials conclude in Nairobi
  2. ^ 1st AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament
  3. ^ 2nd AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament
  4. ^ Daily Nation, July 17, 2008; Boxer Abaka knocked out of Beijing Olympics as camp is officially opened
  5. ^ Daily Nation, July 2, 2008: Lidaywa eyes Olympic medal
  6. ^ The Standard, July 28, 2008: Dunfords wind up games preparation
  7. ^ Kenya Times, July 13, 2008: Kit boost for Tae-Kwon-Do team
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