World record holder killed

Kenyan’s rising long distance runner Agnes Tirop was murdered last October 13, 2021 allegedly by her husband Ibrahim Rotich in her home. The 25-year old was  coming from a fourth place finish in the 5,000 meters in the recently- concluded 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Tirop became the second youngest-ever gold medalist after Zola Budd, when she won the 2015 IAAF   World Cross Country Championship. Only last month, she shaved 28 seconds from the previous mark set by Morocco’s Asmae Leghzaoui in 2002, when she clocked thirty minutes and 01 seconds (30:01) in West Germany.  he was also  a two-time bronze medalist in the 10,000 meters in the World Championship in 2017 and 2019 . Kenyan police have arrested Rotich in Mombasa afer he attempted to escape. Tirop was stabbed in the neck at  her home in Iten, Kenya. Kenta Jeremiah Sawe, a spokesperson for Tirop’s family, said a  a plot to kill  the runner could have been hatched during the Tokyo Olympics.  Sawe added that it was found out that most if Tirop’s property had changed ownership while she was away.  Some properties had changed hands some three months ago.  Dina Tirop, mother of Agnes, said “We are now convinced she was killed because of her wealth.  Part of the property was reportedy sold for $81,000. Tirop was burried last Saturday.  The world has lost another jewel.

Philippines loss, the US gain

I first met Wesley So when he was 14 years old and just starting to get notice in the sport. When he became the youngest GM in history, So made waves the other Tuesday when he ruled the US Chess Championship at the St. Louis Chess Club in Missouri, for his second straight title and third overall.  So trashed heavyweights Fabiano Caruana and Samuel Sevian en route to the crown. In November 2019,  So took the spotlight when he won the FIDE  World Fisher Random Chess Championship, defeating world champion Magnus Carlsen 13.5-2.5. So is currently sixth in the world as of October 2021 with a FIDE rating of 2778.  So migrated  to the US and became a US citizen in 2013.  He currently lives in Monetonka, Minnesota with his adopted parents, Lotis Key and Renato Kabigting.  So, who is a Caviteno and joined his first Chess Olympiad in Turin, Italy, won $50,000 (Php2.5M) for winning the US Open while Caruana and Sevian, each pocketed $30,000.  How ironic, a Pinoy playing for the United States. What a loss.