NAIROBI Luis Alberto Camiseta , Aug. 11 (Xinhua) -- The ongoing 2017 IAAF World Athletics Championships in London marked the retirement from track of two seasoned athletes.
Jamaica's Usain Bolt and Ezekiel Kemboi of Kenya ran the good race and have passed the baton to the next generation after dominating the short sprints and steeplechase events which were their respective specialty.
"The duo are multiple Olympic and world gold medalists who dominated their events for over a decade and their departure from track has created a vacuum that will not be easily filled," former world marathon champion, Douglas Wakiihuri told Xinhua on Friday.
"They have done a good job and it is time to pass the baton to the next generation. However, the big question is whether there are athletes who have worked hard enough in the last two years to be able to fit into their big shoes Vitolo Camiseta ," Wakiihuri said.
Bolt has called it quits at the age of 30 after his career in the 100m and 200m captured the attention and admiration of the world as the fastest man on earth for over a decade.
However, during his final race when it was anticipated he would bid the world with a golden farewell, he lost to a controversial athlete - Justin Gatlin who has a dope-tainted career - who beat him into third place in a tight finish.
"He competed on a clean slate for his entire career especially at a time when the sport wallowed under the shadow of doping insinuation that saw the biggest scandal to rock track and field which culminated into Russia being banned from the 2016 Olympics after systematic doping routine was exposed," former Kenyan international shot-putter Thiago Alcantara Camiseta , Elizabeth Olaba said.
Bolt is the owner of all four of the fastest times in the 100m his world record of 9.58 remaining unbeaten for eight year since he achieved the feat in Berlin in 2009.
Ezekiel Kemboi has dominated the 3,000m steeplechase race like the proverbial Colossus during which time he has won four world championships and two Olympic titles all between 2004 and 2015 in the 3,000m steeplechase event.
His personal best time of 7:55.76 he set in Monaco in 2011 places him as the sixth fastest of all time.
The decorated 35-year old king of celebration retired from the water-and-barrier event after he finished in 11th place at the global event and confirmed he was turning to road running.
Known for his celebrations that ranged from dancing, going shirtless and fancy hairstyles to wearing the Kenyan flag as a skirt Jose Callejon Camiseta , Kemboi was a master of controversy in his native country.
"Kemboi's countryman, Conseslus Kipruto, the reigning world and Olympic champion who understudied his mentor for several years is no doubt his successor," George Kariuki Saul Niguez Camiseta , the chairman of Athletics Kenya Nairobi branch remarked.
Kipruto finished 15 seconds ahead of Kemboi during the London finals to extend Kenya's dynasty to nine straight Olympic and world steeplechase titles.
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BUENOS AIRES, March 9 (Xinhua) -- Fans of Argentinian soccer club River Plate began a campaign via Twitter on Wednesday to try to convince goalkeeper Marcelo Barovero to stay with the club.
With the hashtags "NoTeVayasTrapito" (Don't Go Trapito) and "QuedateEnRiverTrapito" (Stay With River Trapito) -- Trapito is the goalie's nickname, the fans managed to broadcast their petition and it started to trend on the social network website.
Also, under the slogan "this Thursday everyone to the Monumental (Stadium) to support Barovero" Alvaro Morata Camiseta , the fans want everyone to attend the Copa Libertadores match against Sao Paulo (Brazil) wearing green as it is the color the goalkeeper plays in.
The fans' "devotion" for the player became so great that his shirt was the most sold River Plate merchandise between 2014 and 2015.
The initiative came about after Barovero recently announced his decision to leave River in June due to "personal issues".
Barovero, 32, arrived at River in the 2012-2013 season and quickly became a fan favorite.
The former Huracan and Velez Sarsfield goalkeeper has played 150 matches and won two local and four international titles with River Plate. The international titles include last year's Copa Libertadores which the team won for the first time in 19 years.
One of Barovero's best moments for River was in the semifinals of the Copa Sudamericana in 2014 against their biggest rivals, Boca Juniors.
In the match Andres Iniesta Camiseta , Barovero denied a penalty from forward Emmanuel Gigliotti, who now plays for Chinese side Chongqing Lifan.
Saving that penalty allowed River to win the series and they later went on to become the champions, the club's first international title in 17 years.
As the sport involving Brazilian Jiu Jitsu continues to grow so do the tournaments all across the country. Between your academy, word of mouth Sergio Busquets Camiseta , and the internet it has become quite easy to find a grappling tournament taking place every few weeks within driving distance of your home.
Events that started not many years ago housing about 50-100 competitors now consistently attract around 200-300 fighters. And we all know how well the high profile tournaments do like that Pan Ams, Mundials, and also the Abu Dhabis.
An off-shoot of this growth is an influx of first-time competitors. Some of these rookies will fight in one tournament and decide it is not for them others will become addicted and travel a long time and across multiple state lines only to test their skills against a new foe.