Edward Kemboi (third from right), a Kenyan athlete studying at Iowa State University, competing in a race. PHOTO | COURTESY
A few years ago, Edward Kemboi knew little about what wine goes with which food and even the taste.
On his first ever flight when he was leaving for the US on an athletics scholarship, a British Airways flight attendant asked him; ‘‘Pasta or chicken, white or red?’’ He stuttered and then murmured some words. He realised he had requested for a pie when it was handed to him.
Kemboi’s journey started from Samutet Village in Nandi County. When he finished high school, he had little hope of succeeding in life. Having come from a poor background, going to college seemed like a pipe dream.
But now he is the Iowa State University player ranked 9th in college circuit globally and number one in 800 metres and 1,000 metre track competitions in the US.
The runner made history in US by being the first athlete to win the 800 and 1,000-metre runs at the Big 12 Indoor Championships last year in back-to-back seasons.
He started training as an athlete in November 2009 with former world half marathon champion Wilson Kiprop at Mosoriot Teachers’ Training College.
While trekking along Eldoret-Kapsabet road after a one of his training sessions, Kemboi got a lift from Barnabas Korir, the chairman of Athletics Kenya in charge of youth development. The 10 kilometre-journey would see Kemboi secure an opportunity to study in the US.
He said all he needed was to get good grades in high school and the rest he left to God. His parents struggled to raise the money for his SAT exams, his passport, but finally he found himself on the Iowa State University’s tracks.
“Barnabas Korir was a stranger who gave me an opportunity. The scholarship was a dream come true,” he said.
Last Saturday, although only a few celebrated his victory back home, his Iowa State University mates did. In the Big 4 Classics in Aimes, the 800-metre champion raced to victory in the men’s 1,000 metres. Kemboi clocked two minutes 21.60 seconds to defeat Cyclones Christian DeLago (2:23.12).
He is now looking to grab more medals at the New Balance Grand Prix in Boston and Milrose games in New York with focus on the IAAF World Indoor Championships Portland 2016 to be held in March.
Kemboi has won major races in over 15 states in the US with resounding victories in Oregon California, Texas, Illinois, Nebraska, Wisconsin, Minnesota, Pennsylvania, New York, Arizona, New Mexico, Missouri, Kansas, Arkansas and Indiana.
Many Kenyans have tried their luck in the US through athletics scholarships and failed, he said. “For me, it is God who lifted me from nowhere to this city.’’
His greatest challenge in adapting to life in the US is food. ‘‘I find it difficult to eat salad and drink skimmed milk. Balancing school work and track life is also tricky,” said Kemboi.
‘‘I now understand American English, it took me eight months to learn.’’
Kemboi is now fondly referred to as the ‘senior’ in US, having establish himself as one of best college runners.
‘‘If you are determined to study abroad on athletics scholarship you have to excel in school. As a sportsperson character, intelligence, and creativity are unchangeable. If you get a chance abroad, embrace challenges, persevere against setbacks, learn from criticism and believe that with passion, toil, and training one can accomplish a lot. Work on your track record and have good academia grades,’’ he said.
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