WORLD MARATHON MAJORS:
By ELIAS MAKORI
Just when many had perhaps written her off after several missed races through injury and personal challenges, Kenya’s Brigid Kosgei shook off any doubts over her solid reputation as a marathon legend by clinching her sixth World Marathon Majors victory in Tokyo on Sunday.
And she did this in spectacular fashion, the 32-year-old Olympic marathon silver medalist setting a new Tokyo Marathon record of two hours, 14 minutes and 29 seconds, even almost beating her own personal best of 2:14:04, then a world record when she set it in the 2019 Chicago Marathon.
She finished more than two minutes ahead of Ethiopia’s Bertukan Welde, who was second in 2:16:36 in the Japanese capital.
Kosgei’s stellar record includes double victories each in the London, Chicago and Tokyo marathons, grabbing these World Marathon Majors victories at the London Marathon (2019, 2020), Chicago Marathon (2018, 2019) and Tokyo Marathon (2021, 2026).
This alongside silver medals in the 2017 Chicago Marathon and 2018 London Marathon in a fast-rising career that saw her clock only 2:47:59 in her marathon debut in winning the 2015 Porto Marathon!
But some 11 years later, her star is on the rise with the injuries and personal challenges now well behind Kosgei who could be running in Turkish colours at the 2028 Los Angeles Olympics having indicated her interest in taking up the European nation’s citizenship.
“We have a lot of athletes in Kenya. I want some young generation to follow my step to join me in Turkey,” she was quoted as saying after the win in Tokyo that comes after a second-place finish in Sydney last year and victory in Shanghai.
Her move to Turkey was, perhaps, influenced by her training partner Yesemin Can’s change of allegiance, the athlete born in Kenya as Vivian Jemutai who has now represented her adopted nation several times, including bagging three medals on the track (5,000/10,000 metres) at the European Championships.
Her management company, Rosa Associati, was overwhelmed by the latest triumph in Tokyo, posting on “X”: “Brigid Kosgei conquers the Tokyo Marathon with a stunning course record 2:14:29, proving once again why she is among the greatest in marathon history. Six World Marathon Majors victories. Relentless. Fearless. Unstoppable.”
Speaking in an exclusive interview in 2021 at Kapsait, Kosgey highlighted her training regime under veteran coach Eric “Commando” Kimaiyo and confessed her love for the training conditions in Kapsait, some 3,000 metres above sea level. (Video)
Leading results from the Tokyo Marathon (March 1):
Women:
1 Brigid Kosgei (KEN) 2:14:29
2 Bertukan Welde (ETH) 2:16:36
3 Hawi Feysa (ETH) 2:17:39
4 Sutume Asefa Kebede (ETH) 2:17:39
5 Megertu Alemu (ETH) 2:18:50
6 Violah Cheptoo (KEN) 2:19:05
7 Mestawut Fikir (ETH) 2:20:00
8 Aberu Ayana (ETH) 2:20:30
9 Pascalia Jepkogei (KEN) 2:21:39
10 Ai Hosoda (JPN) 2:23:39
Men:
1 Tadese Takele (ETH) 2:03:37
2 Geofry Toroitich Kipchumba (KEN) 2:03:37
3 Alexander Mutiso Munyao (KEN) 2:03:38
4 Daniel Mateiko (KEN) 2:03:44
5 Muktar Edris (ETH) 2:04:07
6 Iliass Aouani (ITA) 2:04:26
7 Selemon Barega (ETH) 2:05:00
8 Seifu Tura (ETH) 2:05:02
9 Vincent Kipkemoi Ngetich (KEN) 2:05:21
10 Shifera Tamru (ETH) 2:05:56
Elias Makori, the founder and Managing Editor of Pura Vida Sports Africa, is a veteran sports journalist with over 30 years’ experience. Makori is a holder of a Masters in Sports Management degree from Barcelona’s Cruyff Institute and is also the 2012 World Athletics Journalist of the Year, three-time Kenya Sports Journalist of the Year and twice Africa Sports Media Personality of the Year.
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