UTEP alum Emmanuel Korir wins World Track Championship in 800 with big kick
EUGENE, Oregon — Emmanuel Korir was golden when it counted most.
Late in a year where Korir entered the World Athletics Championships as the 61st fastest 800-meter runner this year, and he was slowest in Saturday’s finals, Korir reminded everyone why he owns an Olympic gold medal.
He has a World Championship gold to match it now, perfectly timing his sprint over the final 200 meters when he surged from fourth to first.
More:World Athetic Championships 800 meter results
The former UTEP star and current El Pasoan made it look easy and routine but said it was anything but.
“It was tough,” Korir said. “I did my pacing the last 200 meters. I know (Canada’s Marco) Arop was there and was strong, the other guys behind were strong. The last 200 meters I said, 'Let me push ahead and I'll see if I make it.'
“It happened.”
Korir moved from fourth to second around the back turn, then charged to the front coming off the turn. As was the case with his Tokyo gold, no one remotely challenged him down the stretch. He won in a time of 1 minute, 43.71 seconds, well off his personal best of 1:42.05 but better than his season’s best of 1:45.38.
Previous:Emmanuel Korir cruises to finals at Worlds
“I was expecting someone to come, but no one did,” Korir said. “I never shake my end (of his runs) in training but I do in races. It's like magic. I have been working for this.
“It's been a long wait, I failed in 2017 and 2019 and I made it now.”
Korir failed to make the 800 finals in ‘17 and ‘19.
This year didn’t look more promising as Korir dealt with a calf injury that kept him from putting any kind of a good time on the board. He got healthy just in time.
“I've been struggling with injuries but now I'm feeling good,” Korir said. “I have been (feeling good) for a couple of weeks. I knew I was not in good form because of injuries, but I wanted to do my best here. And now here I am.
“To be honest I am not fresh. I was struggling, but inside, I was holding on.”
At this moment, Korir’s “struggling” is best in the world, again.
Bret Bloomquist can be reached at 915-546-6359; bbloomquist@elpasotimes.com; @Bretbloomquist on Twitter.
This article originally appeared on El Paso Times: UTEP alum Emmanuel Korir wins World Championship in 800 meters
