Marathon King Kipchoge Backs Spurs To Make Champions League Final

8th May 2019 - by Mutwiri Mutuota

Olympic champion and world record holder is no doubt Mauricio Pochettino's side will overturn 0-1 deficit at Ajax

Olympic champion and world marathon record holder, Eliud Kipchoge, addresses the media at a breakfast reception hosted in his honour by Isuzu East Africa in Nairobi on May 8, 2019. PHOTO/Courtesy

SUMMARY

Spurs travel to the Johan Cruyff Arena seeking to overturn a 0-1 deficit from the home leg last week with Kipchoge, who was welcomed to their new stadium on April 30 in the aftermath of his London Marathon victory
Speaking to the media, the Berlin Marathon winner who ran a world record 2:01:39 maintained he had opted for another attempt at breaking the ultimate distance to rewrite history
Kipchoge is expected to have another crack at breaking 2:00 sometimes between September and October having fallen by only 26 seconds in his first attempt at the Formula 1 track in Monza in a race that was dubbed NikeBreaking2

NAIROBI, Kenya- The Greatest Of All Time marathoner, Eliud Kipchoge, has backed Tottenham Hotspur FC to punch their ticket in the 2018/19 UEFA Champions League final on Wednesday night.

Spurs travel to the Johan Cruyff Arena seeking to overturn a 0-1 deficit from the home leg last week with Kipchoge, who was welcomed to their new stadium on April 30 in the aftermath of his London Marathon victory.

“Of course, they will qualify for the final,” Kipchoge said in Nairobi on Wednesday morning after he was hosted by his local partners Isuzu East Africa to a breakfast reception.

“Their new stadium is the best in Europe and the boys have the spirit needed to join Liverpool in the final,” the record four-time London winner who ran the second fastest time ever of 2:02:38 quipped.

The Olympic champion returned home after a whirlwind stop in Europe to start preparing for his second attempt on breaking the 2:00 barrier in the marathon later this year in a race dubbed INEOS159.

Like every other sports fan, Kipchoge who has now won 11 of his 12 marathons was stunned by the performance of Liverpool FC who erased a 0-3 deficit from the first leg to send Spanish champions FC Barcelona tumbling out of the competition 4-3 on aggregate.

However, he did not catch most of the stirring second leg of the first semi final since he had an early morning to meet his media obligations.

"I went to sleep after the first goal went in and when I opened my phone and saw the game ended 4-0, I was in shock. That was a great comeback," he told.

Speaking to the media, the Berlin Marathon winner who ran a world record 2:01:39 maintained he had opted for another attempt at breaking the ultimate distance to rewrite history.

The celebratory breakfast came a few months after the vehicle manufacturing company delivered a brand-new Isuzu D-Max Luxury Double Cab pick-up to Kipchoge for breaking the world record at the 2018 Berlin Marathon after penning a two-year deal with the former 5000m world champion.

Third leg

“I'm truly grateful for the support that the Isuzu family always gives me as I go about my career as an athlete. They are continuously providing me with a third leg, a true realization of their promise, Tuko Pamoja Safarini.

"Coupled with team work, hard work and dedication, I'm always confident that I’ll deliver the victory,” noted Kipchoge.

“It is an honour to run for my country and its always a great feeling to bring home the victory. To the millions of fans who watched as I raced on TV and to the millions who whispered a prayer of success, I say thank you for the support,” the runner hailed as the best ever marathoner the planet has ever seen added.

“On behalf of the larger Isuzu EA community, we celebrate your well-deserved win at the 2019 London Marathon. Your resilience, consistency, strength and technique proved incredibly inspiring and mirrored the very values by which our company abides.

“I'm proud to say that this brand partnership has surpassed our expectations. Kipchoge is indeed the right choice and brand fit for our company,” Isuzu EA Managing Director, Rita Kavashe stressed.

“Our slogan, Tuko Pamoja Safarini is apt in describing the journey we have had with Eliud. As Isuzu East Africa, we promise to walk with you as you progress to greater levels of accomplishments in your career.

"You can always count on us. As you take on the next big challenge – a second attempt to run under two hours later this year – we shall be there to support you achieve the historic feat,” she added.

Kipchoge is expected to have another crack at breaking 2:00 sometimes between September and October having fallen by only 26 seconds in his first attempt at the Formula 1 track in Monza in a race that was dubbed NikeBreaking2.

Eliud Kipchoge poses with his special Tottenham Hotspur FC jersey at their new stadium on April 30, 2019 when he was given a tour of the facility following his London Marathon victory. PHOTO/Courtesy/Tottenham Hotspur