Kemboi at the 2013 World Championships in Athletics
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Personal information | |
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Full name | Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi |
Nationality | Kenyan |
Born |
Matira, Rift Valley Province, Kenya |
25 May 1982
Height | 1.75 m (5 ft 9 in) |
Weight | 62 kg (137 lb) |
Sport | |
Sport | Track & Field |
Event(s) | 3000 metres steeplechase |
Medal record
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Updated on 24 August 2015. |
Ezekiel Kemboi Cheboi (born 25 May 1982) is a Kenyan athlete, winner of the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2004 Summer Olympics, the 2009 World Championships, the 2011 World Championships, the 2012 Summer Olympics, the 2013 World Championships and the 2015 World Championships. His 3000 m steeplechase best of 7:55.76 set at Monaco in 2011 places him as the sixth fastest of all time. This time is also the fastest non-winning time in history. He is one of only three men to have won both Olympic and World golds in the event, along with Reuben Kosgei and Brimin Kipruto. He is the only multiple gold medalist in both. He is the only athlete to win four (successive) world championships in the steeplechase.
Born in Matira, which is near Kapsowar, Marakwet District, Kemboi graduated from Kapsowar Boys Secondary School in 1999. He did not take up athletics until after he left school, but was spotted by Paul Ereng and won the African Junior Championships in 2001 despite falling.
Kemboi became African Junior Champion in 2001 and then in 2002, he finished second at the Commonwealth Games behind compatriot Stephen Cherono. The same year Kemboi was originally fourth at the African Championships in Athletics, but was later awarded bronze after the winner Moroccan Brahim Boulami received a doping suspension.