Kenya surrendered the men’s 1500m title in strange circusmyances with favourite Timothy Cheruiyot and Abel Kipsang finishing a disappointing sixth and seventh respectively at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon yesterday morning.

It was the first time Kenya failed to win a medal since the 2009 Berlin event, which came a year before Kenya started its reign with Asbel Kiprop winning back-to-back in 2011, 2013 and 2015 before Elijah Manangoi and Cheruiyot’s turn in 2017 and 2019 respectively.

Midway into the 10-day championship, Kenya has now failed to defend three good medals from Doha, Qatar three years ago; women’s marathon, men’s 3000m steeplechase and now men 1500m.

National head coach Julius Kirwa was lost for words to describe the race.

“That was dismal, I can’t remember the last time I watched a race like that, the tactics were off completely,” said Kirwa.

Kirwa however pointed a finger to the fact that Kenya doesn’t have physiotherapists in Oregon as could be reason behind the dismal performance.

“I have talked to the athletes and not just 1500m team, those in 3000m steeplechase and other races, they seem to be pointing to one thing, inability to  relax muscles and unwind afterward,” Kirwa shared with People Sport.

“Sports therapy can help your body regain the energy it needs for the following day, so for our case, while there are physiotherapists assigned to team Kenya, they are not able to give the standard service our athletes are used to, it explains why an athlete can say he is not tired but his feet are not moving,” he revealed.

This comes on the wake of physiotherapists John Muraya, Jessica Shiraku and Japheth Kariakim and team doctor Victor Bargoria failing to get their visas on time to accompany the team to the championships.

“So I think we can’t blame the athletes in totality,” added Kirwa who is with the Commonwealth Games team in residential camp at Kasarani.

With the misfortunes of Cheruiyot and Kipsang, Briton Jake Wightman rallied from behind to stun a rich field that also had the Olympic champion Jakob Ingebrigtsen from Norway for victory.

Ingebrigtsen led at the bell for the final lap, but Wightman stuck with the pace and bolted with 200 metres to go, successfully holding off the Norwegian for victory in 3:29.23.

Ingebrigtsen took silver in 3:29.47, with Spaniard Mohamed Katir claiming bronze 3:29.90.

Kenya’s Abel Kipsang shot to the front from the start, while Ingebrigtsen settled in five back with an outside line at Hayward Field.

With two laps to go, the Norwegian overtook Kipsang and reigning world champion Timothy Cheruiyot as the pack split into single file.

At the bell for the final lap, it was Ingebrigtesm, the two Kenyans and the British pair of Josh Kerr and Wightman who accelerated away.

Wightman played Ingebrigtsen at his own game and broke at the bend, pulling away into the home straight.

Ingebrigtsen tried to counter, but the Briton held on for a fantastic win.

Kenya ended the day lying third on the medal standings with six medals; one gold, three silver and two bronze.

United States top with 18 medals; six gold, five silver and seven bronze.

Ethiopia are second with three gold and three silver medals.