Kenya at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya competed in the 2008 Summer Olympics held in Beijing, People's Republic of China from August 8 to August 24, 2008. Kenya won a total of 14 medals, 6 of them gold, its best ever performance at the Olympics.

Kenya at the
2008 Summer Olympics
IOC codeKEN
NOCNational Olympic Committee of Kenya
in Beijing
Competitors48 in 5 sports
Flag bearer Grace Momanyi
Medals
Ranked 13th
Gold
6
Silver
4
Bronze
6
Total
16
Summer Olympics appearances (overview)

Kenya sent a total of 46 athletes, 28 men and 18 women, to the 2008 Summer Olympics. Four Kenyan men won six gold medals, while the other two were awarded to the women. The remaining medals won by Kenyans were four silver and six bronze medals. Among the nation's gold medalists was Brimin Kipruto, who brought home the nation's seventh straight medal in the steeplechase since 1984. Coming in at a close third was Richard Matelong who was unable to surpass the Frenchman Mahiedine Mekhissi-Benabbad. Kenya also marked its Olympic debut in taekwondo by sending two athletes, one man and one woman. For the first time in Olympic history, the Kenyan athletes had participated in the women's 800 meter event final. Shortly after the 3,000 meter steeplechase, the women captured a gold medal against many odds. Along with the gold, they also took home the silver as well. Pamela Jelimo led her fellow Kenyan Janeth Jepkosgei Busienei to a one-two finish.

Marathon runner Samuel Wanjiru did not only bring home the gold medal for the Kenyans, but also broke the 24-year-old Olympic record set by Carlos Lopes.

The Kenyans finished the Olympics being the most successful African country in the Beijing Olympics, and 13th place in the overall country standings.

Medalists
Medal Name Sport Event
 GoldPamela JelimoAthleticsWomen's 800 m
 GoldBrimin KiprutoAthleticsMen's 3000 m steeplechase
 GoldWilfred BungeiAthleticsMen's 800 m
 GoldNancy LagatAthleticsWomen's 1500 m
 GoldSamuel WanjiruAthleticsMen's marathon
 GoldAsbel KipropAthleticsMen's 1500 m
 SilverJaneth JepkosgeiAthleticsWomen's 800 m
 SilverCatherine NderebaAthleticsWomen's marathon
 SilverEunice JepkorirAthleticsWomen's 3000 m steeplechase
 SilverEliud KipchogeAthleticsMen's 5000 m
 BronzeRichard MateelongAthleticsMen's 3000 m steeplechase
 BronzeMicah KogoAthleticsMen's 10,000 m
 BronzeAlfred Kirwa YegoAthleticsMen's 800 m
 BronzeEdwin Cheruiyot SoiAthleticsMen's 5000 m
 BronzeSylvia KibetAthleticsWomen's 5000 metres
 BronzeLinet MasaiAthleticsWomen's 10000 metres

Athletics
Main article: Athletics at the 2008 Summer Olympics

The following athletes have been selected for the Olympics:[1]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Vincent Mumo Kiilu 400 m 46.79 7 Did not advance
Wilfred Bungei 800 m 1:44.90 1 Q 1:46.23 1 Q 1:44.65 SB
Boaz Kiplagat Lalang 1:45.72 2 Q 1:45.87 3 Did not advance
Alfred Yego 1:46.04 2 Q 1:44.73 1 Q 1:44.82
Augustine Choge 1500 m 3:35.47 3 Q 3:37.54 4 Q 3:35.50 10
Asbel Kiprop 3:41.28 1 Q 3:37.04 1 Q 3:33.11
Nicholas Kemboi 3:41.56 11 Did not advance
Eliud Kipchoge 5000 m 13:37.50 2 Q N/A 13:02.80
Thomas Longosiwa 13:41.30 4 Q N/A 13:31.34 12
Edwin Soi 13:46.41 1 Q N/A 13:06.22
Micah Kogo 10000 m N/A 27:04.11 SB
Moses Ndiema Masai N/A 27:04.11 SB 4
Martin Mathathi N/A 27:08.25 PB 7
Ezekiel Kemboi 3000 m steeplechase 8:17.55 4 Q N/A 8.16.38 7
Brimin Kipruto 8:23.53 2 Q N/A 8.10.34 SB
Richard Matelong 8:19.87 2 Q N/A 8.11.01
Luke Kibet Marathon N/A DNF
Martin Lel N/A 2:10:24 5
Samuel Wanjiru N/A 2:06:32 OR
David Kimutai 20 km walk N/A 1:22:21 19
Women
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Result Rank Result Rank Result Rank
Elizabeth Muthuka 400 m DNS Did not advance
Pamela Jelimo 800 m 2:03.18 1 Q 1:57.31 2 Q 1:54.87
Janeth Jepkosgei 1:59.72 1 Q 1:57.28 1 Q 1:56.07 SB
Irene Jelagat 1500 m 4:09.92 9 N/A Did not advance
Viola Kibiwot 4:15.62 5 N/A Did not advance
Nancy Lagat 4:03.02 SB 1 Q N/A 4:00.23 PB
Vivian Cheruiyot 5000 m 14:57.27 2 Q N/A 15:46.32 5
Priscah Jepleting 14:58.07 4 Q N/A 15:51.78 11
Sylvia Kibet 15:10.37 2 Q N/A 15:44.96
Peninah Arusei 10000 m N/A 31:39.87 18
Linet Masai N/A 30:26.50
Lucy Wangui N/A 30:39.96 7
Eunice Jepkorir 3000 m steeplechase 9:21.31 1 Q N/A 9:07.41
Ruth Bosibori Nyangau 9:19.75 2 Q N/A 9:17.35 6
Martha Komu Marathon N/A 2:27:23 5
Salina Jebet Kosgei N/A 2:29:28 10
Catherine Ndereba N/A 2:27:06
Key
  • Note–Ranks given for track events are within the athlete's heat only
  • Q = Qualified for the next round
  • q = Qualified for the next round as a fastest loser or, in field events, by position without achieving the qualifying target
  • NR = National record
  • N/A = Round not applicable for the event
  • Bye = Athlete not required to compete in round

Boxing
Main article: Boxing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya qualified five boxers for the Olympic boxing tournament. Bilali was the only boxer to qualify at the first African qualifying event.[2] The other four boxers all earned spots at the second African tournament.[3] In addition, welterweight boxer Nickson Abaka qualified for the Olympics, but missed the event due to injury.[4]

Athlete Event Round of 32 Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Suleiman Bilali Light flyweight  Montero (DOM)
L 3–9		 Did not advance
Bernard Ngumba Flyweight  Doniyorov (UZB)
L 1–10		 Did not advance
Nick Okoth Featherweight  Reyes (MEX)
L 2–6		 Did not advance
Aziz Ali Light heavyweight  Muzaffer (TUR)
L 3–8		 Did not advance

Rowing
Main article: Rowing at the 2008 Summer Olympics

A sole Kenyan rower has qualified for the Olympics:[5]

Men
Athlete Event Heats Quarterfinals Semifinals Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
Matthew Lidaywa Mwange Single sculls 8:16.09 6 SE/F Bye 7:49.17 4 FF 7:52:59 30

Swimming
Main article: Swimming at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Kenya sent two swimmers to Beijing.[6]

Men
Athlete Event Heat Semifinal Final
Time Rank Time Rank Time Rank
David Dunford 50 m freestyle 22.29 20 Did not advance
Jason Dunford 100 m freestyle 49.06 24 Did not advance
100 m butterfly 51.14 4 Q 51.33 5 Q 51.47 5

Taekwondo
Main article: Taekwondo at the 2008 Summer Olympics

Two Kenyan taekwondo jins will compete at the 2008 olympics:[7]

Athlete Event Round of 16 Quarterfinals Semifinals Repechage Bronze Medal Final
Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Opposition
Result		 Rank
Dickson Wamwiri Men's −58 kg  Chu M-Y (TPE)
L 0–7		 Did not advance
Mildred Alango Women's −49 kg  Wu Jy (CHN)
L 0–7		 Did not advance  Zajc (SWE)
W 2–2 SUP		  Contreras (VEN)
L 0–1		 Did not advance 5

See also

References
  1. IAAF, July 5, 2008: Kenyan Beijing squad announced as trials conclude in Nairobi
  2. 1st AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament Archived 2012-08-01 at the Wayback Machine
  3. "2nd AIBA African Olympic Boxing Qualification Tournament". Archived from the original on 2012-03-17. Retrieved 2008-05-15.
  4. Daily Nation, July 17, 2008; Boxer Abaka knocked out of Beijing Olympics as camp is officially opened Archived 2008-07-18 at the Wayback Machine
  5. Daily Nation, July 2, 2008: Lidaywa eyes Olympic medal Archived 2008-07-13 at the Wayback Machine
  6. The Standard, July 28, 2008: Dunfords wind up games preparation Archived 2009-06-21 at the Wayback Machine
  7. Kenya Times, July 13, 2008: Kit boost for Tae-Kwon-Do team
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