‘Why Sawe should be worried over world record,’ two-time champion warns

NAIROBI, Kenya, September 7, 2026 – Two-time world marathon champion Abel Kirui has warned Sabastian Sawe that his world record in the men’s 42km is under threat from Yomilf Kejelcha. chincha.pl

Kirui believes that the Ethiopian could smash Sawe’s record sooner rather than later, judging by his recent performances.

“I thought that it would be quite a while before the world record could be broken but I’d warn Sawe to start working on how he can lower it again. The Ethiopian guy (Kejelcha) is not far behind; he recently broke the world record in the 21km. My heart is not settled…we are not safe,” the 44-year-old said.

Sawe will be all too conscious of Kirui’s warning about Kejelcha who he faced at this year’s London Marathon in April, on which occasion both men became the first ever to run 42km under two hours.

The Kenyan clocked a world record of 1:59:30 but Kejelcha was not too far off behind, running 1:59:41 to finish second.

Having clocked 56:51 at last month’s Buenos Aires Half Marathon to become the fastest man in the distance, Kejelcha will have his eyes trailed on the 42km to usurp Sawe as the world record holder.

Sawe would have had the opportunity to lower his record in the near future but for an injury that ruled him out of next month’s Berlin Marathon.

As far as Kirui is concerned, it is not only Sawe’s record that worries him but also the emergence of minnows in the middle and long-distance races, which have for long been a staple of Kenya.

The Olympic silver medalist believes the fact that such countries, including New Zealand, Australia and France, are performing well in international competitions is symptomatic of a major problem in Kenya’s case — which needs introspection.

“We need to change our tactics and not rely on the ones we have been used to. You saw how Australia performed at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow. We need to invest in better training facilities, gym facilities…supplements for better recovery. Also, if we don’t embrace technology then we will be overtaken,” Kirui said.

‘Patience is the password’

Kirui also delved into the mass migration of young athletes to the road races without transiting through the track races.

He advised such athletes to take baby steps in their athletics career, noting that patience is the password to unlocking success in athletics.

“They should not be in a hurry, they should prepare and build themselves gradually. The money has increased, yes…the money earned by the likes of Paul Tergat is not the same as that of Eliud Kipchoge and Sawe. Money will always be there so they should take their time, transitioning through track races so they can survive for long in the game,” Kirui said.

The 2008 Vienna City Marathon champion was among hundreds who ran at the sixth edition of the Strathmore Annual Run in the Upper hill area of Nairobi on Saturday morning.

The event sought to raise awareness and funds towards a scholarship initiative for needy students in the institution.

He praised the initiative, noting it as a lesson on how sports can help raise the standard of life for many underprivileged people.

“I think this is one of the ways through which athletes can give back to the community. It may not be much but even that 2 per cent is enough to make a huge difference to somebody’s life when combined with similar contributions from others,” Kirui said.

Categories of competition included 21km, 10km, 5km and the 2.5km fun run.

Ce mardi 8 septembre, Porto accueille Manchester City à l’occasion de la première journée de la Ligue des champions. Pour leur entrée en lice, les Dragons devront se méfier d’un adversaire qu’ils n’ont encore jamais battu.

Porto veut créer l’exploit à domicile

Il s’agira de la 28e participation de Porto en Ligue des champions. Pour lancer cette nouvelle campagne européenne, les Dragons auront l’avantage de recevoir Manchester City à l’Estádio do Dragão.

Un rendez-vous particulier pour le club portugais, qui espère profiter du soutien de son public pour décrocher une première victoire face aux Cityzens. Sur le papier, Porto part toutefois avec un désavantage face à l’un des prétendants au titre.

Les Portugais devront également composer avec un bilan peu favorable lors de leurs dernières confrontations face aux clubs anglais.

Un bilan défavorable contre les équipes anglaises

Lors de ses 16 dernières rencontres face à des clubs anglais, Porto n’a remporté que quatre matches. Sa dernière confrontation remonte au 12 mars 2024, contre Arsenal. Après avoir remporté le match aller à domicile (1-0), les Dragons avaient été éliminés au retour à l’issue de la séance de tirs au but (4-2).

Les trois autres succès de Porto sur cette période ont été obtenus face à Chelsea, le 13 avril 2021 (1-0), Leicester, le 7 décembre 2016 (5-0), puis de nouveau Chelsea, le 29 septembre 2015 (2-1).

Le bilan reste donc largement défavorable aux Portugais, avec 4 victoires, 2 matches nuls et 10 défaites en 16 rencontres.

Porto doit retrouver de l’efficacité

Cette difficulté se retrouve également dans les statistiques offensives. Sur ces 16 matches, Porto n’a inscrit que 12 buts, contre 28 encaissés face aux clubs anglais.

Des chiffres qui illustrent les difficultés rencontrées par les Dragons dans ce type de confrontation. Pour espérer faire tomber Manchester City, Porto devra donc rompre avec cette tendance et surtout se montrer beaucoup plus efficace dans les deux surfaces.

Devant son public, le club portugais aura l’occasion de déjouer les statistiques et de frapper un grand coup dès son entrée en lice.

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Springbok coach Rassie Erasmus on Monday made only two changes to his starting team that defeated the All Blacks in Johannesburg for the Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry series decider in Baltimore on Saturday.

Fullback Damian Willemse returns from injury to replace the injured Cheslin Kolbe, and scrumhalf Morne van den Berg is drafted into the starting team with Cobus Reinach dropping to the bench.

Given the team’s brave performances in the last two matches to take a 2-1 lead in the four-Test series, the Bok coach opted for continuity in selection with an eye on trying to clinch the series win in the USA.

A victory for the Springboks at the M&T Bank Stadium will pave the way for them to win the inaugural competition, while a victory for the All Blacks will see the sides draw the series following their victory in the opening match.

Kolbe, who left the field injured at the FNB Stadium last weekend, was one of six players who remained behind in South Africa as the squad travelled to the USA, with the team set to make the journey directly from the USA to Australia for the one-off Test against the Wallabies in Perth on Sunday 27th September.

Settled team

“We feel that the team is well settled and all the players delivered in their respective roles in the last two matches, so we believe selecting the same matchday squad, and naming Damian back in his regular position, makes sense for the closing match of the series,” said Erasmus.

“These players also know exactly what to expect from a very determined All Blacks team, who will give everything to draw the series this weekend.”

Erasmus elaborated on Willemse and Van den Berg’s inclusion in the run-on team, saying: “Damian started the first two Tests and had it not been for a niggle last week, he would have also started that match, so it’s good to have him back. He is a quality player, and he knows the guys around him very well, so it will simply be a matter of him picking up where he left off before last week.

“Morne, meanwhile, made a fantastic impact when he took the field last week, and he deserves a chance to start, so Cobus switches to the bench where he will add experience and skill in this vital match.”

Springboks starting XV

Damian Willemse, Kurt-Lee Arendse, Jesse Kriel, Damian de Allende, Ethan Hooker, Sacha Feinberg-Mngomezulu, Morne van den Berg, Jasper Wiese, Pieter-Steph du Toit, Siya Kolisi (capt), Ruan Nortje, Eben Etzebeth, Wilco Louw, Malcolm Marx, Ox Nche.

Bench: Deon Fourie, Gerhard Steenekamp, Thomas du Toit, Lood de Jager, Andre Esterhuizen, Cameron Hanekom, Cobus Reinach, Manie Libbok

Dans la nuit de dimanche à lundi, à l’occasion de la 27e journée de la League One américaine, le Portland Hearts of Pine s’est imposé face au SC Westchester (2-1), grâce notamment à une réalisation d’Aboubacar Camara.

Titulaire avant de céder sa place en fin de partie, l’attaquant guinéen a offert les trois points aux locaux grâce à son but inscrit à huit minutes de la fin du temps réglementaire.

En 20 apparitions en championnat, Camara totalise désormais sept buts et deux passes décisives.

Grâce à cette précieuse victoire, le Portland Hearts of Pine occupe la treizième place de la League One avec 26 points.

A. Diouma Bah

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Siwelele FC have confirmed that they have relieved head coach Lehlohonolo Seema and assistant coach Willem Jackson of their first-team duties following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season.

The duo’s sacking comes a day after Siwelele lost 3-2 to Kaizer Chiefs in a Betway Premiership match played at the Dobsonville Stadium on Sunday. It was Siwelele’s third defeat in five league games.

Siwelele announced the decision via a statement on Monday.

“Following a disappointing start to the 2026/27 season, Siwelele FC has relieved head coach Lehlohonolo Seema and assistant coach Willem Jackson of their first-team duties while the club conducts a review of the senior team’s performance and technical programme,” read the club’s statement.

The club further confirmed that Godfrey Mosoetsa will take charge of the first team as caretaker coach with immediate effect.

“This has been a challenging period for the club, and our supporters deserve better than what they have seen so far this season. Our belief in this team, in our players and in what we are building at Siwelele remains unchanged.

“This is a moment to stand together, to work harder and to embody the spirit that defines this club: courage, unity and fighting for one another. Our season is still young. We will face the challenge in front of us together, as one team and one family.”

Siwelele further stated that Siwelele further stated that they will make further announcement on the coaching approach for the remainder of the season once the review has been conducted.