Ezekiel Kemboi could have been a stand-up comedian.
His antics certainly had the press in raptures, but like all stand-up comedians he also made many valid points, albeit in a humorous way.
“South Asians have cricket, Europeans have football, and Kenyans have steeplechase,” said Kemboi. “We say it’s ours and we cannot allow some else to win it. If you want to win, you have to do a lot of training and calculations,” he said.
He was right. Kemboi won the men’s Olympic 3000m steeplechase for the second time on Sunday and ensured Kenya’s dominance of the event; they have now won it eight consecutive times, a fact that Kemboi pointedly showcased by running through his own honour roll since 2004. By the end, even the journalist who asked the question was laughing.
But it was Kemboi’s elaborate dance routine after his victory that sparked the greatest debate. The Kenyan had a simple explanation for it.
“The dance was a spontaneous thing,” he said and he also made sure to include the silver medallist and Frenchman Mekhissi-Benabear. To his credit, the runner-up also went along with it, providing one of the highlights of London 2012 so far.
But this wasn’t the first time Kemboi unfurled such excessive celebrations.
“If you can remember in Daegu some people were saying, I was ‘mini-Bolt’. And that’s good because it is good to have your own slogan. My celebration though is not so much like Bolt,” he continued, “It’s mini.”
The Kenyan also revealed that he shares a strong bond with the Jamaican athlete and that they had met in the Village.
“Usain is my friend. We just met in the Village. He said, ‘I’m wishing you the best of luck.’ After the Olympics we are going to party.”
The room was laughing at every word out of the Kenyan’s mouth but Kemboi was not yet done as he dished on his elaborate hairstyle.
“It’s shaved round so it’s the shape of the gold medal,” said Kemboi.
“I had a different hairstyle in 2009 (at the world championships) — and I won. In 2011 (at the world championships) I had another hairstyle — and I won. And now in 2012 in London, I have another hairstyle — and I won.
“When I shave my hair it’s a sign that something is coming and everyone must be prepared for that,” he said.
Kemboi’s relaxed demeanour showcases the mental strength that the Kenyan athlete possesses and one that is required of any champion. The 30-year-old faces a trial back home for allegedly stabbing a woman. But he managed to block out those pressures to bring home the gold and keep Kenya smiling.
-With The Daily Star input
