320 300
Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge underlined his credentials as the undisputed king of the marathon with a totally dominant run to retain his Olympic title on the streets of Sapporo on Sunday.
The world record holder clocked 2hr 08min 38sec to win gold, becoming only the third man to win consecutive marathon titles.
Abdi Nageeye of the Netherlands claimed silver in 2:09.58, just ahead of Belgium’s Bashir Abdi in bronze.
Lawrence Cherono finished Fourth while Amos Kipruto broke from the way while still 5km to the finish line.
Kipchoge’s winning margin of 1:20 was the biggest since Frank Shorter’s win in the 1972 Munich Games.
Eliud Kipchoge who was the defending champion in the marathon was with two Kenyans Amos Kipruto won bronze in the 2019 World Championships in Doha and Lawrence Cherono is the Chicago and Boston Marathon champion.
The 36-year-old’s victory, made his 13th win in the 15 marathons he has raced since 2013. This came a day after teammates Peres Jepchirchir and Brigid Kosgei secured back-to-back women’s Olympic marathon titles.
“I think I have fulfilled the legacy by winning the marathon for the second time, back-to-back. I hope now to help inspire the next generation,” Kipchoge said.
“It means a lot for me, especially at this time,” he added of winning his second gold medal.
“It was really hard last year, it (Olympic Games) was postponed. I am happy for the local organising committee who made this race happen. It is a sign that shows the world we are heading in the right direction — we are on the right transition to a normal life.
“Congratulations to them that they made this Olympics happen,”added Kipchoge.