Kenya's Abraham Kibiwot won hearts after bracing an injury to win bronze during the 3000m steeplechase race in the ongoing World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
On Tuesday night, the athlete stumbled in the final lap, injuring his arm in the process. According to World Athletic, Kibiwot clipped a barrier but showed incredible determination to rise and win a major medal.
With his eyes set on the prize, the Kenyan athlete scrambled back to his feet and sprinted past his teammate Leonard Kipkemoi Bett, clocking 8:11.98.
Speaking to Reuters after the race, Kibiwot noted that the stumble did not shatter his dream of bagging a medal but rather acted as a catalyst, igniting his determination even further.
"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 stated.
"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," he added.
Medical emergency personnel attended to the bronze winner after the race, carefully examining the extent of the injury. A detailed statement of the assessment was yet to be released by the time of publishing this article.
Nonetheless, after being cleared by the medics, Kibiwot moved to congratulate his teammate Leonard Kipkemoi Bett, who had performed admirably in the race.
Kibiwot praised Bett for his impressive performance and recognized him as a source of motivation throughout the race. Bett was fourth in the race with a time of 8:12:26.
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 and then laid down in the water in celebration on a humid night at the National Athletics Centre.
President William Ruto was among the first notables to congratulate Kibiwot for his victory, dedication and passion.
Adidas, a multinational corporation invested in sportswear, also joined the ranks of those publicly acknowledging the Kenyan athlete for his unwavering perseverance.
“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 Running posted.
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, at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary, Faith Kipyegon claimed Kenya’s first gold medal in the women’s 1500m.
The triple world record holder clinched the medal after shaking off Ethiopia’s Diribe Werlteji, who took silver in 3:55.69. Dutch star Sifan Hassan was third, clocking 3:56.00.
