Ruto Praises Kenyan Athlete Who Won Medal Despite Falling Mid-Race

President William Ruto on Tuesday, August 22 congratulated Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot who defied circumstances to clinch a bronze medal during the 3000m steeplechase race in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary despite falling during the race.

The athlete stumbled on the final lap and injured his arm in the process, with World Athletic stating that Kibiwot clipped a barrier but showed incredible determination to come back and win a major medal.

The Kenyan athlete fought back and outsprinted his teammate Leonard Kipkemoi Bett to finish at a time of 8:11.98

"Well in Abraham Kibiwot, despite the heavy fall, for bagging Bronze in 3,000m Steeplechase," Ruto stated in part on his social media handles.

Abraham Kibiwot competing during the World Athletics Championships Budapest, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. /TWITTER

After the race, Kibiwot expressed that the stumble did not prevent him from clinching a medal but rather served as the ignition key to his determination to finish strong in the race.

"It's my first time actually to win a medal at the World Championships. I came here to finally take a medal home with me," a buoyant Kibiwot told Reuters. 

"It was a good race - even if I fell when we started the last lap, there was no question I would make it to the podium."

Medical emergency personnel attended to the bronze winner after the race, carefully examining the extent of the injury. After he was cleared by the medics, Kibiwot congratulated his teammate Bett who performed well in the race, despite finishing fourth with a time of 8:12:26.

“Even when you stumble, never give up the chase. Congratulations to Abraham Kibiwot in the 3,000m steeplechase – his first major medal on the world stage,” Adidas, a multinational corporation invested in sportswear, also joined those who publicly acknowledged the Kenyan athlete for his never-give-up attitude.

Olympic gold medallist, Soufiane El Bakkali of Morocco, emerged first at 8:03.53 marking his second consecutive world championship title in the men's 3,000 metres steeplechase. Ethiopian International, Lamecha Girma, won silver at 8:03.53.

Abraham Kibiwot made his international debut at the 2013 African Youth Athletics Championships, emerging fifth in the 2000 meters steeplechase event. 

The 27-year-old also one bronze at the African Championships in Athletics in 2016. His personal best is 8:09.25 minutes, set in 2016.

Meanwhile, it was a typical GOAT performance for Kenya's Faith Kipyegon who bagged the country's first gold medal in the women's 1500 metres, beating Ethiopia’s Diribe Werlteji, who took silver in 3:55.69, as well as Dutch star Sifan Hassan who finished third at a time of 3:56.00. 

Kipyegon bagged $70,000 as a result of winning gold in the race, converted to approximately Ksh10.13 million.

Faith Kipyegon after winning the women's 1500m race during the World Athletics Championships Budapest, on Tuesday, August 22, 2023. /WORLD ATHLETICS