Kenyan hurdler wins rare gold in Beijing

Nicholas Bett of Kenya (L) reacts as he crosses the finish line ahead of Kerron Clement of the US (C) and Jeffrey Gibson of the Bahamas to win the men's 400 metres hurdles final.[Photo/Agencies]

"This will open a new avenue for sprinters in Kenya. You saw how javelin thrower Julius Yego inspired Kenyans. This will be another performance that will have a lasting impact on the sport. Congratulation Bett," said Mwaniki.

Kenya has been successful in Beijing as they chalked up their fourth gold on Tuesday with Olympic 800m champion David Rudisha reclaiming the title he first won in Daegu in 2011.

Mwaniki, however, believes it is a win for sprinters with his two other athletes, Maurine Cheleat and Joy Zakari, together with Bett qualifying for the Rio Olympic games.

"It is good that though Zakari and Chelegat did not win medals, they performance see them qualify for the Rio Olympics and so does Bett," said Mwaniki.

Prior to Beijing, Bett had been two-time bronze medalist at the African Championships in Marrakech (Morocco). He could not make the finals in the last Commonwealth Games in Glasgow.