James Kwalia

James Kwalia C'Kurui (born James Kwalia Chepkurui on 12 June 1984) is an athlete who represents Qatar after switching from his homeland Kenya. Specializing in the 3000 and 5000 metres, his personal best times are 7:28.28 minutes and 12:54.58 minutes respectively. He was born in Trans Nzoia. He is the current holder of the Asian indoor record over 5000 m which he broke in Düsseldorf in February 2009.

James Kwalia

Medal record
Representing  Qatar
Men's athletics
World Championships
2009 Berlin5000 m
Asian Games
2006 Doha5000 m

Biography

He had his first success while competing for Kenya when he won the bronze medal in the 3000 m at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Athletics. His first senior medal came at the 2004 IAAF World Athletics Final, where he took the 3000 m silver. He transferred to represent Qatar following this and was very successful in Asian competitions, winning at the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships and the 2006 Asian Games.

He represented Qatar at the Olympics for the first time with an appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games – he finished eighth in the 5000 m. He improved at the next major competition, taking the bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. A streak of wins at Asian championships followed: he set a new Games record in the 3000 m at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, won the 5000 m title at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships for a second time and won his first indoor title soon after at the 2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. From the beginning of his career, he was coached by the Italian Renato Canova, under the management of Gianni Demadonna.

He is from Kaptama in Mount Elgon District. Prominent runner Edith Masai is from the same area.[1]

International competitions
Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
Representing  Kenya
2001 World Youth Championships Debrecen, Hungary 3rd 3000 m 7:57.71
2003 World Athletics Final Monte Carlo, Monaco 5th 3000 m
2004 World Athletics Final Monte Carlo, Monaco 2nd 3000 m
Representing  Qatar
2005 World Cross Country Championships St Etienne, France 15th Short race
World Championships Helsinki, Finland 13th 5000 m 13:38.90
World Athletics Final Monte Carlo, Monaco 6th 5000 m
Asian Championships Incheon, South Korea 1st 5000 m 14:08.56
2006 World Cross Country Championships Fukuoka, Japan 43rd Short race
Asian Games Doha, Qatar 1st 5000 m 13:38.90
2008 Asian Indoor Championships Doha, Qatar 3rd 3000 m 7:50.76
World Indoor Championships Valencia, Spain 9th 3000 m 8:00.44
Olympic Games Beijing, China 8th 5000 m 13:23.48
World Athletics Final Stuttgart, Germany 5th 3000 m
2009 World Championships Berlin, Germany 3rd 5000 m 13:17.78
Asian Indoor Games Hanoi, Vietnam 1st 3000 m 8:00.40 (GR)
Asian Championships Guangzhou, China 1st 5000 m 14:02.90
2010 Asian Indoor Championships Tehran, Iran 1st 3000 m 7:57.73
World Indoor Championships Doha, Qatar 8th 3000 m 7:46.12
Asian Games Guangzhou, China 2nd 5000 m 13:48.55
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References
  1. The Standard, October 14, 2008: Komon the mountain legion
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