When asked to comment on his fairy-tale performance at the ongoing World Championships, Daniel Simiu responded; “I got a call in the morning from my girlfriend urging me to put my best foot forward, and I didn’t take it for granted.”
Simiu also told Capital FM Sport in Budapest, Hungary how his career best achievement has inspired him to emulate Charles Kamathi, the last man to win a gold medal for Kenya in 10,000m at the 2001 Edmonton World Championships.
Simiu ran a tactical race, clocking 27:52.60 to clinch silver behind Uganda’s Joshua Cheptegei, who clocked 27:51.42 -a season-best- whilst Ethiopia’s Selemon Barega’s 27:52.72 completed the podium dash.
With an apparently insatiable appetite for success, Simiu quipped: “It’s by God’s grace that I won my first World Athletics Championships medal and I am grateful to all Kenyans who rallied behind me.”
He continued: “At least, I have delivered something for them (Kenyans fans) after many moments of elusiveness. I dedicate my medal to all Kenyans; including my girlfriend and coach who both urged me to go the extra mile.”
All in all, Simiu avowed that the Budapest medal is a sign of better things to come.
He termed the 10,000m final a tactical race that could really go either way.
“Being my first medal in the world championships, I think there is more in store.” Simiu expounded, adding: “I mean, God has enabled me to finally lay my hands on a medal. As much as I couldn’t get my mitts on gold, I am happy for now, more so coming in as a replacement for Felix Kandie who was ruled out with injury.”
When he got words of encouragement from his girlfriend, Simiu went down on his knees and asked God for the elusive medal. “I said in my prayer that it won’t be me every time; coming for competitions and going back empty handed. At least my prayers have been answered.”
“My coach prepared me well. He also talked to me in the morning not to let Worlds chance slip from my grasp,” he continued.
-Coach Chebii-
His coach William Chebii on his part congratulated Simiu for his medal success and promised to work on his speed in order to prepare him for future races.
“His endurance tactics are spot on and now the only thing left for him is speed. The race was so competitive, we could see. I mean, I am lost for words.”
