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Ezekiel Kemboi

sports Maturity 7-9 Next article →

Ezekiel Kemboi is a famous runner from Kenya. He is a master of the 3000 metres steeplechase. This race is very hard because runners must jump over large hurdles. They also have to jump over a pit filled with water.

Kemboi is one of the best to ever do it. He is one of only five men to win gold at both the Olympics and the World Championships. He is also one of only three men to win two Olympic gold medals in this event. His skill makes him a legend in the world of sports.

Kemboi's journey to the top took many steps. He grew up in Matira and went to Kapsowar Boys Secondary School. He did not start running competitively until after he finished school.

A man named Paul Ereng spotted his talent. Kemboi won the African Junior Championships in 2001 even after he fell down. In 2002, he won a silver medal at the Commonwealth Games in Manchester. He later won gold at the 2003 All-Africa Games in Abuja. These early wins showed the world he was a great athlete.

His career is full of amazing moments and big wins. Kemboi won his first Olympic gold medal in Athens in 2004. He won that race by just 0.3 seconds ahead of his teammate, Brimin Kipruto.

He later won another Olympic gold in London in 2012. In the World Championships, he did something very special. He won four titles in a row from 2009 to 2015. This long streak of wins is a record for the steeplechase. He even won road races in Italy in 2010.

Kemboi has many impressive numbers in his record books. In 2011, he ran the steeplechase in 7:55.76 in Monaco. This was the seventh fastest time ever recorded. It was also the fastest time by someone who did not win the race.

Throughout his career, he won a total of seven World Championship medals. He also won a bronze medal at the 2016 Rio Olympics. However, he was disqualified from that race for stepping outside the track. He decided to retire, but then changed his mind to try one more time.

Today, Kemboi is known for his life outside of racing too. He has lived on a farm near Moi's Bridge since 2002.

He is married to Jane Kemboi, and they have two sons. Since 2009, he has been coached by his neighbor, Moses Kiptanui. Kemboi shows us how hard work and practice lead to greatness. His story is one of many great Kenyan runners. He remains a person people look up to for his skill and pride.

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