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Saturday, October 04, 2014 – Incheon (South Korea)—Kenyan-born Ali Hasan Mahboob won Asian Games gold for Bahrain in the men’s marathon on Friday after seeing off a spirited challenge from Japan’s Kohei Matsumara.

Mahboob, who was born ‘Silas Kirui’ in Kipsabet and made the switch to the Gulf state in 2005, crossed the line in two hours, 12 minutes and 38 seconds, one second ahead of Mastumara and four ahead of another Japanese runner, Yuki Kawauchi, in third. Mahboob is one of a string of African-born runners who have dominated athletics at the Asian Games, provoking strong debate as to whether their success is good for the sport or whether it could lead to a reluctance to invest in home-grown talent.

Mahboob has previously run mainly in distance track events and said the marathon had taken a lot out of him. “This was my first race in the marathon.I used to run in 5,000m and 10,000m before,” he told a news conference. “I am very exhausted at the moment since it is just right after the race. But I am very happy.”—APP