Moscow surprise for Cronje
“I believed in myself, but I wouldn’t have put money on myself”, said a delighted Johan Cronje who saved the best for last, winning the 1500m bronze medal on the final day of the IAAF World Championships.
“A bit disappointed I was a few split-seconds from second: I think if I wasn't boxed in I could have snatched that one, but I had a terrible tactical race,” said the Bloemfontein speedster who had initially expected a fast race in Moscow.
Asbel Kiprop took control of the race from the gun, pulling the field through 400 in 59.68 but was 8m clear when he completed the second lap in 1:59.24, and Cronje found himself boxed in on the kerb initially in fifth then dropping back to eighth with 300 to go.
“I couldn’t go fast as everyone was on my right and I had (Matthew) Centrowitz ahead. It was only the last 60 I had to go past as that's when it opened up (on the inside).”
It was only the hours before the race that Cronje realized that the tactics in the final would be different from his previous expectations.
“I realized that everyone was in there as individuals, the Kenyans weren’t going to run as a team, so they were watching each other and would also have Centrowtiz on their mind, so perhaps they would forget a guy like myself or Brannen from Canada,” said Cronje of his pre-race analysis. "Before the race I knew it could be slow: I had to be upfront and I had to be wide, and everything I knew I didn’t do.. but!”
After 900m the South African realized he had to find a way out.
“It was stupid I was swearing at myself (for being boxed in) saying Johan this is your only opportunity use it!,” explained Cronje.
“I was sitting, sitting, - looking right couldn't get a gap and saw Centrowitz and knew he was a fast finisher, so I would stick with him,” continued the 31-year-old who was running his race intuitively.
“When he moved out and around I saw the guys inside were looking outside – so I waited. As soon as you look outside your body moves out and I waited for that 20 centimetres to open up and I moved through on the inside…“
The rest is history as Kiprop cleared the line in 3:36.23 for gold; Cronje stood hands on his head awaiting the results which showed, Centrowtiz had driven through for silver in 3:36.78, and Cronje had put South Africa onto the medal table with the Bronze in 3:36.83.
“Its always been a dream of mine to run in Zurich so if I can get some leave I think I’ll get an invite there," said Cronje of the rest of the season.
South Africa’s sole medal placed them 33rd and last on the medal table, compared to a ninth place in Berlin and 17th in Daegu, however with just under 45% of the team experiencing their first World Championships there are positives to be taken back from Moscow, particularly given the precarious state of Athletics South Africa’s boardroom over the last year.
(File Photo:Gallo Images)
- Norrie Williamson in Moscow
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