New father Mucheru glows in Olympics silver lining

Besides winning Kenya’s first and only sprint medal at the Rio 2016 Olympics, Boniface Mucheru was rewarded with setting a new national record after racing to 47.78 for silver in the men 400m Hurdles final in Brazil.

Kenyans in their usual jocular selves online greeted the first sprint medal since the men 4x400m relay class of 1972 Munich Olympics by asserting the country’s runners had just realised the event is a shorter version of the 3000m steeplechase.

The African champion atoned for the shock preliminary exit of world champion, Nicholas Bett, to earn the nation as second medal in succession at a major event, underlining the belief Kenyan runners can dominate sprints if accorded proper coaching and facilities.

During the semi-final Mucheru clocked a then season best of 48.85 behind Kerron Clement in heat one.

Fearing a repeat of last year’s Beijing World Championships where poor hurdling technique caused him to finish in fifth, Mucheru went back to the drawing board to improve on his execution and it almost landed him the top prize in the sport having run the American gold winner, Michaela Tinsley (48.90) so close.

“I went and checked on mistake from the semi-finals yesterday (Wednesday). I saw where I went wrong and I had to accept it. So I composed myself and relaxed.

“If I had not accepted the mistake I would not have made it today. I had an issue with the eighth hurdle and I believe I would go for a gold medal, because that is what I had targeted.

“Although I missed the gold medal narrowly. I’m very happy with the silver medal. I would like to thank Kenyans and my family for being there for me and supporting me, you have really motivated me and that is why I was able to reach this far,” the athlete who welcomed a newborn just before setting out for Brazil told.

“I dedicate this medal to my daughter and my family,” the jubilant lap-race hurdles silver winner and new father gushed.

Former Olympian and his coach Vincent Mumo, was speechless when Mucheru stormed to the second medal.

The retired sprinter asked Bett to stand in as a coach for Mucheru and twin brother, Aron Koech after being denied of a chance of joining the athletes managed by Finn Jukka Hakinnen in Rio.

“I’m happy about the medal and more so about the time. That is what I had requested him to do. We have been working on it so that we close the season with a better time. Olympics is tough and he was able to deliver.

“He went on his hurdles smoothly and did not stutter like last year’s Beijing Championships,” the former African 4x400m medallist said.

“During Shanghai Diamond league he had just come from an injury and he had a problem clearing the hurdles. But now he is fully recovered and it was evident how he handled them at the Olympics finals.

“When he came back from South Africa he still had a problem clearing the sixth and eighth hurdle. So we concentrated on that as we prepared for the Olympics,” the coach added.

Koech the African 400m hurdles bronze medallist stopped the timer at 49.09 for seventh.

“I’m also impressed with Aron’s performance he has been giving personal best in his heats and its great. He was in the medal bracket although there were some slight changes in the finals.

“I believe that during the London World Championships he will be able to deliver a medal to back the one he has from South Africa,” Mumo underscored.