Kenya has long been a dominant force in global athletics, particularly in middle and long-distance events, where many runners have etched their names in history. However, some of the nation’s brightest stars disappeared from the scene just when fans expected them to shine even brighter. This article highlights five such athletes who, despite achieving remarkable success in their primes, gradually faded from the spotlight, leaving fans and experts alike wondering about their untold stories.
David Rudisha
David Rudisha, the world-record holder in the 800 meters, is one of Kenya’s greatest athletics stars. His career reached its peak with two Olympic gold medals (2012 and 2016), two World Championships titles, and the world record that still stands at 1:40.91. Rudisha was widely regarded as a once-in-a-generation talent, the epitome of 800m racing dominance. However, his career took an unfortunate turn in 2017 when he suffered a muscle strain that ruled him out of the World Championships. The injury, compounded by a series of setbacks including chronic back pain, ankle surgery, and a car crash, severely hindered his ability to maintain his peak performance. The personal tragedies he faced, including the death of his father and the breakdown of his marriage, also played a significant role in his eventual retirement. Rudisha decided to step away from competitive athletics, focusing on ambassadorial roles and his career in the Kenya Police, leaving behind a legacy that remains unmatched in the 800m.
Mercy Cherono
Mercy Cherono made a name for herself early on, not only for her athletic prowess but also for her captivating beauty, which earned her the status of a poster girl for Kenyan athletics. A two-time World Junior champion and Commonwealth gold medalist in 5,000m, Cherono had a promising future. She finished fourth in the 5,000m at the 2016 Rio Olympics and secured a silver medal at the 2013 World Championships. However, after the birth of her child in 2018, Cherono’s presence on the track diminished. Although she made a brief return to competition, winning a 10km race in France in December 2023, her career has been marked by a series of missed opportunities. Fans were left wondering what more she could have achieved had she continued to compete at her peak.
Silas Kiplagat
Silas Kiplagat was another star who seemed poised to rule the middle distances, particularly the 1,500m. In 2011, Kiplagat won a silver medal at the World Championships and followed it up with a Commonwealth title in 2012. His time of 3:27.64 remains the 15th best in history. Kiplagat’s career seemed full of promise, but an untimely tendon injury in 2017 threw a wrench into his plans. Despite hopes of transitioning to the 5,000m, the injury and the subsequent challenges made it difficult for him to return to the form that had once made him a favorite for global titles. His most recent competition was in May 2023, when he finished sixth in the 5,000m at the Kenya Prisons Championships in Nairobi. However, the once-promising middle-distance star has not returned to international competition, leaving fans disappointed by his untimely exit from the global scene.
Pamela Jelimo
Pamela Jelimo’s rise to fame was meteoric. She burst onto the global stage in 2008, winning the Olympic 800m gold at just 18 years old. That victory was followed by an impressive season, including the IAAF Golden League Jackpot, which solidified her as one of Kenya’s most promising stars. Yet, the years following her initial success were marked by inconsistency and injury. In 2009, Jelimo struggled with injury and failed to make an impact at the World Championships in Berlin. She made a brief comeback in 2012, winning a gold medal at the World Indoor Championships, and then finished fourth at the London Olympics. She was later promoted to third after doping sanctions were applied to two Russian athletes. However, her career continued to decline, and by 2014, she had disappeared from the international circuit. Despite having the potential to be one of Kenya’s greatest 800m runners, Jelimo’s career never truly took off after her early triumphs, and she has not been seen in a major competition since.
Hyvin Kiyeng
Hyvin Kiyeng’s career in the 3,000m steeplechase was filled with remarkable achievements. She claimed gold at the 2015 World Championships, silver at the Rio 2016 Olympics, and bronze at the 2017 World Championships, making her one of the top athletes in her discipline. Despite her success, Kiyeng gradually faded from the limelight. She failed to qualify for the 2022 and 2023 World Championships and was also absent from the Paris 2024 Olympic Games. Her last competition was in April 2022, when she finished eighth at the National Police Championships in Nairobi. Kiyeng’s absence from the competitive scene has left many wondering if her best years were behind her or if there were circumstances beyond her control that led to her hiatus.
Conclusion
These athletes were once the shining stars of Kenyan athletics, capturing the attention of fans and setting the track on fire with their incredible performances. However, personal setbacks, injuries, and other challenges have kept them from realizing their full potential. Their disappearances have left a void in Kenyan athletics, raising questions about what could have been. Yet, despite their absence, their past achievements continue to inspire new generations of runners, proving that while their time at the top may have been brief, their legacies are lasting.
