Ex-champ Ndiwa looks to bounce back to fame

By Mutwiri Mutuota

After overcoming a genetic injury and severe bouts of typhoid and malaria, resurgent Mangata Ndiwa hopes the Saturday Amman World Cross will restore his international career.

In 2006, Ndiwa was on top of the world after being crowned 8km men’s race champion in Fukuoka, Japan, before his assault on the 5,000m gold medal at the World Junior Championships in Beijing fell short after he finished fourth.

It was to be the last time Ndiwa featured in an international tournament as a rare condition-hole in the ankle and a combination of typhoid and malaria ravaged his career.

"It’s been a difficult period for me but I am pleased to be competing for Kenya again. It is my desire to do the very best in Amman as a tribute to all those who have worked hard to see me through this," Ndiwa said.

At the Trials for Amman, Ndiwa ran 38:58.2 for sixth and was handed wildcard selection for the World Cross.

Finished fifth

In 2005, Ndiwa finished fifth (24:15) at the junior race during the St Galmier-St Etienne World Cross before winning silver (13:45.37) at the Africa Junior Championships in Rades, Tunisia.

The following year, Ndiwa was crowned World Cross junior champion (25:34) and led Kenya to a perfect 10 (1-2-3-4 finish) in the 8km race before he clocked 13:44.03 for fourth at the Beijing World Juniors’ 5,000m race.

But just before travelling to Beijing, Ndiwa developed swelling in the left ankle that got worse after the event which had first appeared in 2004 and was later diagnosed as a hole in the ankle.

Early retirement

It is the same injury that forced famed Dutch footballer and later national team coach, Marco van Basten’s early retirement in 1995 while playing for Serie A side, AC Milan.

"It is an injury that cannot be treated, one has to be conditioned to live with it," Ndiwa’s coach, Brother Colm O’Connell said.

Besides the inborn defect, Ndiwa suffered from a severe case of typhoid that later combined with malaria, ending his dreams of featuring at last year’s World Cross and Beijing Olympics Games.

"I was still not getting cured and I changed my doctor with the one who gave me different medication that was able to bring the typhoid and malaria under control. I have been on this medication until recently when I felt strong again."

Ndiwa roared back to action at the fourth KCC/AK National Cross meeting held at Kisii with a classy victory in the long race in 37:10.0, followed by a second finish (26:54, 8.9km) at the Bupa Great Edinburgh Run. The lanky Kenyan clocked 26:54 in the men’s 8.9km race.

"It will be very tough in Amman but I believe the Kenyan team can do something. Personally, my goal is to get a medal."

Two of his younger siblings, sister Stacy and brother Emmanuel Ndiwa have followed in his footsteps by launching their athletics careers.

from: www.eastandard.net