TIMES TODAY TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
God’s Gift
CONTENTS My Pulpit message notes: | God’s Gift 3-4 My Devotional: Not yet my time| 6 My Inspiration: A turnaround season | 7 My Entrepreneur: Find your purpose and calling in God’s story 8 My Health: Monkeypox outbreak: Global cases rise to more than 550| 9-10 My Kitchen: Snickers Tart |11 My Sports: Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins 800m race on his Diamond League debut in Rabat 12
My Pulpit Message - notes God’s Gift
My Pulpit Message Notes are extracted from the sermon preached at the Nairobi Baptist Church (NBC) Ngong Road on Sunday 5th June 2022. Preacher: Reverend Majid Ochieng, Deputy Senior Pastor Nairobi Baptist Church. Scripture: Acts 2:1-21; Luke 11:9-13. Topic: God’s Gift
“When the day of Pentecost came, they were all together in one place. 2 Suddenly a sound like the blowing of a violent wind The word pentecost basically means 50th. By and large it refers came from heaven and filled the whole house where they were to the Jewish feast that was held 50 days after the second day sitting. 3 They saw what seemed to be tongues of fire that sepaof Passover. It is also called the Feast of Weeks (Exodus 34:22, rated and came to rest on each of them.” Deut 16:10). It is also called the Feast of Harvest. - They were in one accord. The entire company, about 120. They Pentecost was a day of thanksgiving to mark the day of grain were sitting in one place. Those who spoke we are told were priharvest. It was a day that was celebrated on the seventh day and marily Galileans. Then there was this sudden arrival that were two loaves of bread were made from the new wheat and two signs of audible and visuals signs that characterised this event. yearling lambs were waved before the LORD as a thanksgiving offering praising God for His grace in giving them a good har- - The outpouring of the Holy Spirit that Jesus Christ talked vest. about was fulfilled. Even prophet Joel had talked about it a little earlier. So the world Spirit is also referred to as wind and somePeople were expected to attend this feast and to offer a free will times, breath. Hebrew ruach and in Greek, pneuma. The Holy offering to the LORD. The day “ Spirit came upon them. of Pentecost we are told that Jesus was with them (Acts 1:3) for Jesus came as our Redeemer and after He left, He left us with - If you go to the Old Testaforty days after His resurrection ment you might think of the the Holy Spirit so that we many continue to experience that and then He ascended back to work of redemption and to spread that good news of the work storm that Moses entered to heaven. receive the law on Mount Sinai of redemption. Exodus 19:16, or the whirlwind Just before that He told them on that passed while Elijah was of” one occasion while He was eatfering a sacrifice. But from the ing with them, He gave them very beginning in Genesis 1:2, this command, “Do not leave Jerusalem, but wait for the Gift we see that this Spirit of God was also hovering over the waters that my Father promised you which you have had me speak before creation. about. For John baptised with water, but in a few days you will be baptised with the Holy Spirit,” Jesus told His disciples. - In each case we see a sign above all of the presence of God. Not that God was not there, but a sudden heaviness and awareTen days after His ascension, fifty days after His resurrection, ness of the presence of God as they were waiting as Jesus had the words if Joel 2:18 and those of John the Baptist in Matthew instructed them. 3:11 were fulfilled. On this day set aside to praise the LORD for giving His people a great harvest, the LORD began to harvest Secondly there was the tongues of fire resting on each the lost souls of this world through His Church. The Church believer. The Old Testament parallel here is Moses was called would never be the same. The disciples were never the same on by God from the burning bush (Exodus 3). We are told of the that day of Pentecost. pillar of fire that led the Israelites into the wilderness. Again as Moses was receiving the tablets of the law on 1. The event of the Pentecost. Mount Sinai, we are told that at the top of that mountain was 2. The effects of the Pentecost. wrapped in smoke because the LORD had descended. The pres3. The empowerment at the Pentecost. ence of God was so significant at the point and time of Pentecost that the disciples of Jesus Christ could not miss it. PENTECOST SUNDAY
The event of the Pentecost. (Acts 2:1-3)
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Pulpit Message - notes - Even more significant, is the pillar of cloud and fire rested on the The empowerment at the Pentecost tabernacle (Exodus 40:38). Under the old covenant God’s presence was localised in a temple. In the new covenant and especially after (Acts 2:14) this Pentecostal experience we see that it was now possible that the “ Then Peter stood up with the Eleven, raised his voice and addressed Holy Spirit could come on the individual Christians. the crowd: “Fellow Jews and all of you who live in Jerusalem, let me - Under the old covenant we see that there was a temporary filling explain this to you; listen carefully to what I say. 15 These people are of God’s Spirit upon the prophets, judges, kings when there was an not drunk, as you suppose. It’s only nine in the morning! 16 No, this assignment, but when we come to the new covenant, from this point is what was spoken by the prophet Joel:” - Joel 2:28 onwards, after Jesus Christ had come, the fire that once upon a time Firstly, Peter stood up and explained to the people and he rested upon the Tabernacle now rested upon the heads of every be- liever that was covered there. This was a visible sign of God’s awe- went back to quote Joel 2:28. Coming towards the end Acts 2:40-41, the end of Peter’s sersome presence. mon we read “ With many other words he warned them; and he pleaded with them, “Save yourselves from this corrupt generation.” There are events that may not be replicated. For example we cannot 41 Those who accepted his message were baptised, and about three go to the upper room. But there are experiences that can be replicat- thousand were added to their number that day.” ed in our lives. The presence of God. This is the same Peter that was not able to stand before a servant girl and denied Jesus. This is the same Peter in John 21 that after Jesus had died, he The effects of the Pentecost. left what he was told to do and went back fishing. (Acts 2:4) But it looks like something has happened to him especially after the encounter with the Pentecost. This Peter could have been described as timid. He was not “All of them were filled with the Holy Spirit and began to speak in able to stand before a servant girl when Jesus Christ was on trial other tongues as the Spirit enabled them.” is now able to stand with authority and speak about the goodness One the effects is that they began to speak in tongues as of God and translate and interpret Scriptures and go back to histothe Holy Spirit enabled them. The Holy Spirit filled them and took ry. As a result about three thousand people gave their lives to Jesus control of them and as a result enabled them. Therefore they spoke in Christ. You realise that when the Holy Spirit came, Peter was a other tongues. Some were amazed. (Acts 2:12). ‘These are Galileans, changed / different man. but they can speak languages of our own that we can understand.’ At The verses that follow we begin to see miracles after miracles the same time, we are told that some actually mocked them. performed by the apostles. Same experience, received differently. I pray that we Acts 3:1-8 talks about the paralytic man who was born cripwill open our hearts to see and receive that which God has stored pled and was a beggar and goes to beg Peter and John . Then Peter for us. said, “Silver or gold I do not have, but what I do have I give you. In Speaking in tongues in Acts allows for the declaration the name of Jesus Christ of Nazareth, walk.” Why? The enablement of what God has done through Jesus Christ in the native language of of the Holy Spirit. The enablement that came at the time after the the people that were there. But we can see that some were mocking event of the Pentecost. them. This is the same thing that Jesus Christ said that even after the Is speaking in tongues here at Pentecost the same as miracles happen, they are not to bring glory to any man, but so that speaking in tongues in the book of Corinthians? There is a very people may turn to Him. He also told them, in Acts 1:8, “But you small difference. In Acts it was public and they were declaring what will receive power when the Holy Spirit has come upon you and you will be my witnesses in Jerusalem and in all Judea, and Samaria and God has done. Perhaps this is the first of that experience. In 1 Corinthians, it was now for personal edification the uttermost ends of the earth for the glory of God. The enablement and for there to be propriety in worship Paul says that when it hap- to be witnesses. The enablement to be able to live for Him. The enpens like that and people are not able to understand in a congrega- ablement to be able to defy the laws of man as we know them and tional setting, the LORD should also provide for interpretation of that we call miracles. Jesus came as our Redeemer and after He left, He left us with the same. the Holy Spirit so that we many continue to experience that work of redemption and to spread that good news of the work of redemption.
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Life How to get saved and spend eternity with God His Love “For God so loved the world, that He gave His only Son, so that everyone who believes in Him will not perish, but have eternal life. John 3:16 (NASB) My response that if you confess with your mouth Jesus as Lord, and believe in your heart that God raised Him from the dead, you will be saved; for with the heart a person believes, resulting in righteousness, and with the mouth he confesses, resulting in salvation. Romans 10:9-10 (NASB)
My prayer Lord God Almighty, thank You for Your love for me. Thank You that You sent Your Son Jesus Christ to die for my sins. Please forgive me for all the sins I have committed against You. I believe that Jesus Christ is Lord and that He died on the cross and You raised Him from the dead on the third day. Please write my name in the Lamb’s book of life. Help me to live a life that is holy and pleasing unto You. In Jesus’ Name I pray and believe. Amen
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Devotional By Liz Omondi | Email: timestodayke@ gmail.com
Not yet my time
Therefore Jesus told them, “My time is not yet here; for you any time will do. 7 The world cannot hate you, but it hates me because I testify that its works are evil. 8 You go to the festival. I am not going up to this festival, because my time has not yet fully come.” 9 After he had said this, he stayed in Galilee. 10 However, after his brothers had left for the festival, he went also, not publicly, but in secret. John 7:6-10
become of his dream? It was not yet his time. And that did not make him grow bitter, but better at his administrative skills even in prison.
Two years later, after correctly interpreting the cupbearer’s dream, Joseph’s own dream began to unravel before his very eyes as he stood before the Pharoah to interpret his weird dream. The advice he gave the Pharaoh on what he needs to do became the key that unlocked Sitting there, despondently looking at my certificates qualifications, the fulfilment of his dream several years earlier. tick. Experience - perfect match. Requirements - satisfactory. With each successive week, month and year that has passed, I have per- Jesus Christ, knew his mission well and right time for Him to die for fected the language, style and look of papers I presented, proposals all mankind. Knowing the motives of the Jewish leaders to kill him written, or resumes sent out at the click of the send button. Yet the at a time when he was supposed to attend the Festival of Tabernareturn on invested time and efforts has been regrets. When will my cles, he categorically refused to go. Though his brothers urged him time come? I ask my self. He said no, His time had not yet come. Though He later went to the festival secretly and even publicly taught in the temple courts. The He was anointed king at an early age, having been overlooked by his Jewish leaders tried to seize Him, but John 7:30b says “but no one father and siblings. He continued doing what he knew best; to tend laid a hand on him, because his hour had not yet come.” his father’s sheep. One of King Saul’s attendants had taken notice of David even as a shepherd boy. When an evil spirit tormented Saul, Jesus portrayed utmost wisdom and maturity in surrender to God’s the attendants advised him to have someone who could play the lyre will and timing. He knew His mission and purpose here on earth for him to make him feel better. and though His goal and experiences were not pleasant, He had to wait until the right time. When the time came, for his purpose to be Following this counsel, one of the King Saul’s attendants remembered fulfilled, He prayed, “Father, if you are willing, take this cup from me; David saying “I have seen a son of Jesse of Bethlehem who knows yet not my will, but yours be done.” He submitted even to the most how to play the lyre. He is a brave man and a warrior. He speaks well painful and humiliating experience ever. But it had to be done in acand is a fine-looking man. And the Lord is with him.” David soon cordance with God’s will. went into the king’s service and this perhaps may have motivated him to know that his time to be king drew nigh. Moses prayed in Psalm 90:12 “Teach us to number our days, that we may gain a heart of wisdom”. Do you have a well articulated mission However, this was not to be. Several years later, this same king on sev- and vision like I have and are wondering, when will my time? Like eral occasions tried to kill David making him spend many years on Jesus, may we have godly wisdom and maturity to say, not yet my the run yet careful enough not to touch, or harm the Lord’s anointed time. May we be filled with the Holy Spirit and have self control and when he had the opportunity. It was not yet his time. patience knowing that “it is God who works in you to will and to act in order to fulfill his good purpose.” Philippians 2:13 As Joseph languished in the prison cells for a crime he did not commit, he may have wondered, when will my time come? What had
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Inspiration A turnaround season
By William King | Email: kingwilliam189@gmail.com | image courtesy: vox.com
We all face situations that look as though they’ll never change. It’s easy to get discouraged and accept it’s never going to work out, but God says, “I will turn things around for my people” (Zephaniah 3:9). He’s a turnaround God. He turns Red Seas into dry pathways.
You have to receive this by faith. This will not do you any good if you think your situation will never turn around.
You can cancel out what God wants to do by doubt, negative thinking. Why don’t you be a believer and not a doubter? Get in agreement with God and say, “Father, I believe that When thoughts tell you, “Your situation is permanent. You’ll You promise a turnaround is coming in my health, finances, never get out of this problem,” get ready. A turnaround is relationships.” In the Scripture, David went through a lot of coming. God is about to turn sickness into health, addic- unjust opposition. tion into freedom, lack into abundance, struggle into ease. This is what God said about Zerubabel (Zechariah 4:7). He could have lived discouraged and bitter, but he said, “God, You have turned my mourning into dancing. You have Mountains represent permaturned my sorrow into joy” nent, immovable obstacles. (Psalm 30:11). He understood Depression can be a mountain. God won’t keep you from every mountain, but that we serve a turnaround Now, this is a new day. God is God. We will go through loss, He promises to turn the sorrow into joy. Weepabout to flatten that mountain disappointments, but that’s into a molehill. He’s about to ing may endure for a night, but joy comes in not how your story ends. the morning. remove some obstacles. What used to hold you back is not God won’t keep you from evgoing to limit you anymore. ery mountain, but He promPeople who weren’t for you will suddenly be out of your ises to turn the sorrow into joy. Weeping may endure for a path. night, but joy comes in the morning. You’re going to see the hand of God do things that are unusual, uncommon, out of God turned it around. That mountain of loneliness is about the ordinary. You’re coming into a turnaround season. to become a molehill. The right person is going to find you a divine connection, someone better than you’ve imagined. TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
Every Good G S ift
ells
Entrepreneur
Find your purpose and calling in God’s story By Jim Brangenberg |www.biblicalleadership.com
“Therefore, go and make disciples of all the nations, baptizing them in the name of the Father and the Son and the Holy Spirit. Teach these new disciples to obey all the commands I have given you. And be sure of this: I am with you always, even to the end of the age “ (Matthew 28:19-20).
replicate his holy behavior in the marketplace across the globe. The Great Commission was the culmination of Christ’s commands when he said, “go and teach the nations everything I have commanded you, teaching them everything that I have taught you.”
What happens when The Cultural Mandate, The Great Commandment, and The Great Commission collide? Simple: we find As Jesus-followers, our calling is to teach others what we know our purpose and calling as followers of Christ. about Jesus; sometimes, that’s other Christians and sometimes other pre-believers. The bottom line is the commission is for all Jesus spent 3.5 years teaching his disciples. So, in all that time, of us. This doesn’t just apply to pastors and missionaries; it apwhat exactly did he teach them? plies to workplace believers, the “carpenters” of today. The Great Commission is for everyone. How to live life. How to execute The Great Commandment. How to love God and love others. How to follow him. And at the end Every week at work, your behavior should reflect this Great of it all, how to pass the same understanding, the same calling, Commission. So, I want to challenge you this week: each day on to others. when you leave for work, picture yourself as a missionary headed off to a place full of people who need to know Jesus. It’s important to note that before Jesus spent time teaching his disciples, he was involved in, and then ran, a family business—a Demonstrate that you know Jesus by the acts of your love and carpentry business. And after 30 years of experience loving the your behavior. Share with others about Jesus through the natupeople in his city, Jesus went on to teach the disciples how to ral conversations that happen at work.
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Health
Monkeypox outbreak: Global cases rise to more than 550
www.medicalnewstoday.com | By Jeanna D. Smiley and Angela Chao on June 2, 2022 — Fact checked by Patricia Weiser, PharmD |Image credit: theindependent.co.uk
seated near the U.K. traveler when they flew from Nigeria to London [on May 3-4, 2022]. Of these, one is no longer in the U.S., and one was not a contact. The remaining six are being monitored by their respective state health departments. None of these six travel contacts have monkeypox symptoms and their risk of infection is very low.” The WHO officials have been tracking monkeypox’s path through Europe and North America for several weeks. However, with the data available so far, they do not know long the virus has been spreading. On May 30, the agency said during a public webinar that while it cannot rule out the risk, it is unlikely the outbreak will turn into a global pandemic.
What is monkeypox? Monkeypox is a zoonotic virus, which transmits disease from animals to On the heels of the ongoing COVID-19 pandemic, a zoonotic virus seems humans. Cases typically occur near tropical rainforests, where animals to be spreading across the globe. that carry the virus live. Since early May, Monkeypox has been making headway across at least 30 countries, including the United Kingdom, Spain, Portugal, Australia, and the United States. The number of cases has increased to more than 550 worldwide as of June 1, according to the World Health Organization (WHO).
The monkeypox virus is a member of the orthopoxvirus family. It also has two distinct genetic strains or clades: the Central African (Congo Basin) clade and the West African clade. The Congo Basin clade is known to spread more easily and cause more severe symptoms. Monkeypox naturally occurs in Africa, especially in west and central African nations. Cases in the U.S. are rare and associated with international In the U.K., nearly 200 monkeypox cases have been confirmed since May travel from places where the disease is more common. 7. During a press conference on May 17, WHO officials said that these are mostly separate occurrences except for “a family cluster with two confirmed cases and one probable case[…].”
What are the symptoms?
Monkeypox symptoms and signs include headache, skin rash, fever, body Recently, Canada and the U.S. joined these nations in tracking and tracing aches, chills, swollen lymph nodes, and exhaustion. It produces symptoms the virus. similar to smallpox, but milder. As of May 19, Canada confirmed two monkeypox cases and said it was investigating more than a dozen suspected cases. The Massachusetts Department of Health also announced a single case in an individual who had recently been in Canada. Several Canadian cases have been linked to this person.
The time from infection to the onset of symptoms, which is referred to as the incubation period, can range from five to 21 days. The illness typically resolves within two to four weeks.
Severe cases are more common among people with underlying immune deficiencies and young children. In recent times, the case fatality ratio of On May 18, Scott Pauley, press officer at the Centers for Disease Control monkeypox is around 3-6%. and PreventionTrusted Source (CDC), told Medical News Today: “The U.K. notified the U.S. of 8 people in the U.S. who might have been
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Health How is it transmitted?
Dr. Cherabuddi mentioned that smallpox vaccinations offer some protection against monkeypox. He said the Democratic Republic of Congo is currently employing ring vaccinationTrusted Source for close contacts of Transmission of the monkeypox virus among humans is limited, but it confirmed cases. can happen through close skin contact, air droplets, bodily fluids, and virus-contaminated objects. The U.K. is also using ring vaccination, in addition to contact and source tracing, case searching, and local rash-illness surveillance, he added. Most of the recent cases of monkeypox in the U.K. and Canada have been reported among attendees of sexual health services at health clinics in men who have sex with men.
Smallpox and monkeypox vaccines
Dr. Cherabuddi believes that more cases will arise in the U.S., but it’s difRegarding this trend, Dr. I. Socé Fall, the regional emergencies director ficult to predict how many. for the WHO’s Health Emergencies Program, cautioned: He said he was concerned that with fewer people in the U.S. having had “This is new information we need to investigate properly to understand smallpox vaccinations, this could be putting “a majority of the population better the dynamic of local transmission in the U.K. and some other counbelow the age of 40-50 years at risk for infection[…]” tries.”
Many unknowns about the latest cases During a press conference on May 17, Dr. Fall acknowledged that public health officials still have much to learn about the monkeypox virus.
Dr. Ryan also noted that preventing the disease may not entirely rest on vaccines. He pointed out that “the protection offered by previous smallpox vaccination also has reduced[…]”
He said there might be a need to change agricultural, social, and food storage practices to prevent further outbreaks. Officials hope to help com“But the most important thing is we really need to invest in understanding munities understand how the virus spreads so they can address it at its the development of monkeypox because we have so many unknowns in sources. terms of the dynamics of transmission, the clinical features, the epidemiology. In terms of therapeutics and diagnostics also, we still have importDr. Cherabuddi told MNT that vaccines for monkeypox have also been ant gaps,” he said. approved for limited circulation. WHO experts believe that solutions for monkeypox calls must go beyond “An approved vaccine for monkeypox—MVA-BN—is not widely availaddressing the disease. able. Tecovirimat (TPOXX), as both oral and IV medication is approved in the U.S. for treating smallpox and oral form in Europe to treat cowpox, During the press conference, Dr. Michael Ryan, executive director of the monkeypox, and smallpox. The FDA also approved brincidofovir (TemWHO’s Health Emergencies Program, said: “[G]etting answers isn’t just bexa) in 2021 to treat smallpox. These medications are not widely availabout getting answers about the virus. We’ve got to get answers about the able,” he said. hosts, we’ve got to get answers about human behavior and practice, and we’ve got to operate at all levels to try and ensure that human populations are protected.”
Can vaccines curtail the spread? For more insight, Medical News Today spoke with Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi, clinical associate professor in infectious diseases and director of the Global Medicine and Antimicrobial Management Program at the University of Florida. “Being aware of the rash of monkeypox which presents as vesicles is very important. Additional measures include vigilance in those who have traveled in the past 30 days to countries that have reported cases of monkeypox [and] who have contact with a person who is confirmed or suspected of monkeypox.” — Dr. Kartik Cherabuddi
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Kitchen Snickers Tart delicious.com.auBY DELICIOUS. TEAM DELICIOUS. TEAM
INGREDIENTS 275g cream-filled chocolate cookies (such as Oreos) 80ml (1/3 cup) melted butter 1/2 teaspoon sea salt 3 tablespoons roughly chopped salted peanuts PEANUT BUTTER CARAMEL 125g butter 95g (1⁄2 cup lightly packed) brown sugar 395g can sweetened condensed milk 125ml (1/2 cup) pure cream 1 teaspoon sea salt 250g (1 cup) smooth peanut butter CHOCOLATE TOPPING 150g milk chocolate 75ml pure cream
and side of the tart tin and set aside. 3.To make the peanut butter caramel, melt the butter in a saucepan over medium–high heat. Stir in the brown sugar and cook for 6–8 minutes until it starts to bubble. Add the condensed milk and cream, then turn off the heat and stir in the salt and peanut butter. (Usually at this point I’ll eat half the caramel. Don’t be me, save it for the tart.) 4.Now pour the peanut butter caramel into the tart base and pop into the oven for 15 minutes. You’re looking for it to bubble and thicken. Remove the tart from the oven and leave to cool for 30 minutes. 5.To make the chocolate topping, all you need to do is melt the chocolate and cream – I usually just pop them in a bowl and microwave for 30-second blasts, giving it a stir in between each blast, until melted and combined (it usually takes 1 1/2–2 minutes in total).
METHOD 6.Pour the chocolate topping over the tart, then sprinkle with 1.Preheat the oven to 160°C. Line the base of a 23 cm tart tin the peanuts and some extra salt, if you like. Pop in the fridge for with baking paper. about 1 hour to set. Slice and devour. Store any leftovers in an airtight container in the pantry for 5 days, or in the fridge for up 2.Place the cookies, butter and salt in a food processor and blitz to 10 days. to a wet, sand-like consistency. Press the crumb into the base
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022
My Sports Emmanuel Wanyonyi wins 800m race on his Diamond League debut in Rabat
www.standardmedia.co.ke | By Jonathan Komen
Emmanuel Wanyonyi celebrating after clocking 1:43.76 record in 800m final during World Athletics U20 Championships at the Moi International Sports Complex. Aug 22, 2021. [Jonah Onyango, Standard]
World under 20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi stretched his two- The women’s 400m saw the Dominican Republic’s Olympic silver medallist lap race dominance at the Meeting International Mohammed VI d’Ath- and world leader Marileidy Paulino finish two metres clear in 50.10, with letisme de Rabat on Sunday evening. Sada Williams of Barbados second in 50.74 and Stephenie Ann McPherson of Jamaica third in 51.37. Wanyonyi, 17, followed up his victory in Ostrava on Wednesday with another assured display that belied his age, maintaining himself within strik- It was a bad night for Kenyans in men’s 3,000m steeplechase –a race often ing distance of the lead throughout and finishing strongest in 1:45.47. billed as ‘Made in Kenya for Kenyans – as local hero Soufiane El Bakkali, Morocco’s golden champion of the Tokyo Olympics, won in a meeting Botswana’s fast-finishing 2012 Olympic silver medallist Nijel Amos was record and world lead of 7:58.28. second in 1:45.66 with France’s Gabriel Tual striving hugely for third place in 1:45.71. Earlier the large crowd, relishing the return of the Wanda Diamond League to this arena for the first time in three years, had voiced huge dismay as Kenya’s Collins Kipruto dropped away to fourth over the final 50 metres, Norway’s Olympic 400m hurdles champion and world record-holder but his compatriots Emmanuel Korir and Olympic silver medallist Fergu- Karsten Warholm, making his keenly anticipated 2022 debut, pulled up son Rotich, the respective Olympic gold and silver medallists, had an even and held his right hamstring after clearing the first hurdle. less happy time in warm but blustery conditions, finishing eighth and 10th respectively in 1:46.93 and 1:47.72. After that downswing, the final upswing created such excitement that El Bakkali, having once more defeated the man he beat to gold in Tokyo – Like the men’s steeplechase, the women’s 3000m produced sustained com- Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma – was mobbed by youngsters as he attempted petition as 2013 world silver medallist Mercy Cherono and European in- to leave the arena. door champion Amy-Eloise Markovc battled all the way down the finishing straight before the Kenyan edged home in 8:40.29, 0.03 clear. He had tracked Girma all the way before choosing his moment, always appearing in control of his fortunes. It was a huge marker for his prospects of Cherono had tracked the US-based Briton round the final bend before adding world gold this summer to the silver and bronze he already owns. striking for home, but Markovc resolutely refused to let any light develop between them and was rewarded with a personal best of 8:40.32, with Girma also dipped under eight minutes, clocking 7:59.24, with his comEthiopian teenager Medina Eisa third in 8:41.42. patriot Hailemariyam Tegegn, who had kept in touch with the two leaders until the final lap, third in a personal best of 8:06.29. Three years after making his international debut at this meeting – where he finished fourth in 20.51 – Kenny Bednarek returned as the Olympic Behind him, the revived and recuperated 2016 Olympic champion Cons200m silver medallist, and he gave a performance in keeping with that eslus Kipruto took fourth place in 8:12.47, with India’s Avinash Mukund standing as he won in 20.21 from lane seven, comfortably clear of South Sable fifth in a national record of 8:12.48. A momentous race. Africa’s Luxolo Adams, who clocked 20.35.
TT 155 | June 7th- June 13th| 2022 The Times Today is a publication of Elizabeth Omondi Consultancy. P.O. Box 833-00100 GPO Nairobi. Tel: 0722 927792. www.thetimestoday.wordpress.com
