Africa is well endowed with great talents in sports. Every Week, the VIP Sports Stars showcase the performances in individual and team sporting activities of the previous weekend. VIP Magazine’s IKENNA OKAFOR presents a review of Africa’s VIP Stars.
Kenyan Amos Kipruto marked his London Marathon debut with a decisive victory. The 30-year-old Kipruto, a world bronze medallist in Doha in 2019, crossed the line in two hours, four minutes and 39 seconds after breaking away late on. Leul Gebresilase of Ethiopia finished second in 2:05:12
In the women’s elite race, Ethiopian 23-year-old Yalemzerf Yehualaw became the youngest ever London Marathon winner with a time of two hours, 17 minutes and 26 seconds – the third quickest London Marathon time in history. Kenya’s Joyciline Jepkosgei came in second while Ethiopia’s Alemu Megertu completed the podium.
Also, African runners made their marks at the Melbourne Marathon in Australia. Kenya’s Timothy Rono bagged the men’s title. Rono clocked 2:09:12, smashing Dominic Ondoro’s course record by one minute and 30 seconds set in 2013. His compatriot Cornelius Kibet came second in 2:10:24.
In the women’s category, Kenya’s Beatrice Cheptoo ran a superb race in a time of 2:27:58 on her debut on Australian soil while Maru Ejigu of Ethiopia third in 2:28:54
In football, Ghana and Arsenal of England’s midfielder Thomas Partey scored a sensational goal against Tottenham Hotspur as the Gunners beat their North London rivals 3-1 to go top of the English premier league table.
Morocco International Zakaria Aboukhlal and Fares Chaibi of Algeria were both on the score sheet when Toulouse defeated Montpellier 4-2 in the French Ligue 1. Aboukhlal scored his team’s second goal and also provided the assist for the fourth while Chaibi provided the assist for the team’s opener and scored the third.
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