Marathon Legend Eliud Kipchoge Receives Most Coveted Japanese Award

Tokyo Olympics Marathon Winner Eliud Kipchoge delivering a speech after receiving the Samurai Kabuto helmet on November 18, 2021.
Tokyo Olympics Marathon Winner Eliud Kipchoge delivering a speech after receiving the Samurai Kabuto helmet on November 18, 2021.
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2020 Olympics Marathon winner and World Record holder Eliud Kipchoge has been honored with the Samurai Kabuto helmet by Japanese automaker, Isuzu Motor Company.  

Isuzu East Africa’s Managing Director, Rita Kavashe, praised Kipchoge for his outstanding performance in athletics and discipline in the field.

She noted that the company looked forward to more partnerships with Kipchoge, who is the brand ambassador for the Isuzu D-Max mini-truck.

Managing Director of Isuzu E.A Rita Kavashe hands over the Isuzu key to Metrotrans CEO Oscar Rosana while Head of Sacco Banking at Co-op Bank Edward Mutuaruhiu (extreme right) as Metrotrans Chair John Mathu Njoroge, Chairman (extreme left) look on.
Managing Director of Isuzu E.A Rita Kavashe hands over the Isuzu key to Metrotrans CEO Oscar Rosana while Head of Sacco Banking at Co-op Bank Edward Mutuaruhiu (extreme right) as Metrotrans Chair John Mathu Njoroge, Chairman (extreme left) look on.
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“Friendship is a great thing to have and through friendships you find people who can advise you, improve your life and help to surmount challenges in life. Thank you to Eliud for the long and steadfast partnership that dates back to 2017,” remarked Kavashe.

The award was presented to the Marathoner by Hiroshi Hisatomi, the company’s board chairman on behalf of the President of Isuzu Motors Japan, Masanori Katayama.

The Isuzu President termed Kipchoge as a philanthropist, who alongside his stellar career, invests in nurturing talents and supporting the less fortunate in society.

“Persons with the character of Eliud Kipchoge’s happen rarely in the world. His achievements are legendary but he still finds time to focus on the development of young athletes, promotion of environmental protection initiatives and expansion of educational opportunities for kids by establishing the Kipchoge Foundation,” stated the Isuzu President.

Kipchoge expressed his gratification with the honour urging young people and other sportsmen to remain committed to their course.

“I believe that when you think positive, you are rewarded in a positive way. It is a law I live by and one that any human being should adopt,” he said.

The special helmet is synonymous with the history of Japan, which is a combat headwear worn by the Samurai warriors.

The award has added glitters to Kipchoge’s trophy-laden marathon career, who was last month recognized as the Tokyo Olympics Best Male Athlete by the Association of National Olympic Committees (ANOC).

Among the top dignitaries present during the award ceremony included Japan’s Ambassador to Kenya Ryoichi Horie and Industrialization, Trade and Enterprise Development Cabinet Secretary, Betty Maina.

Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line at the NN Mission Marathon in Netherlands on April 18, 2021.
Marathon legend Eliud Kipchoge crosses the finish line at the NN Mission Marathon in Netherlands on April 18, 2021.
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