Mushir Salim Jawher
Encyclopedia
Leonard Mucheru Maina ( born June 13, 1978 in Nyandarua) is a Kenya
n long-distance runner
, who started from 2004 until 2007 as Mushir Salem Jawher , having acquired the citizenship of Bahrain
.
He originally represented Kenya and finished fourth in the short race at the 2000 World Cross Country Championships
. He moved to Bahrain
in 2003 and was granted citizenship in 2004, at the same time getting a new Arabic
name. At that time Bahrain acquired a number of runners from African countries, especially Kenya.
Before changing nationality Maina finished seventh at the 2003 World Indoor Championships
and fourth at the 2003 World Athletics Final
. In 2004 he became Asian Indoor Champion for Bahrain in 3000 metres. This stirred some controversy as he, according to IAAF rules, was not eligible to run for his new country until March 16, 2006. At the end of the season he finished fourth at the World Athletics Final
for the second year in a row. However, he was absent from the top international level until late 2006 when he won a silver medal at the Asian Games
. Other medalists for Bahrain included Yusuf Saad Kamel, Belal Mansoor Ali
and Tareq Mubarak Taher
, also imported from Kenya.
On 4 January 2007 Jawher won his first marathon race, the Tiberias Marathon
held in Tiberias, Israel
, finishing in 2 hours 12 minutes and 13 seconds. He was the first athlete from an Arab country to compete in Israel, and was subsequently stripped of his Bahraini citizenship. On 21 January 2007 it was reported that Bahrain had reversed its decision to strip him of his Bahraini citizenship, and has been allowed to continue competing for the Persian Gulf state.
In December 2007, it was reported that he had re-acquired Kenyan citizenship.
He successfully defended Tiberias Marathon victory in 2008 with a course record of 2:10:30. It was also his personal best then. Mucheru competed Tiberias Marathon again in 2009, but finished 2nd with a time of 2:09:37. The winner, Jackson Kipkoech from Kenya, set a new course record of 2:08:07.
In 2010, he failed to make the top ten at the Tiberias race, but was eighth at the high-calibre Dubai Marathon
and fourth at the San Diego Marathon. He improved his personal best by over half a minute at the Daegu Marathon
in April 2011, taking third place overall.
Kenya
Kenya , officially known as the Republic of Kenya, is a country in East Africa that lies on the equator, with the Indian Ocean to its south-east...
n long-distance runner
Long-distance track event
Long-distance track event races require runners to balance their energy. These types of races are predominantly aerobic in nature and at the highest level, exceptional levels of aerobic endurance is required more than anything else...
, who started from 2004 until 2007 as Mushir Salem Jawher , having acquired the citizenship of Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
.
He originally represented Kenya and finished fourth in the short race at the 2000 World Cross Country Championships
2000 IAAF World Cross Country Championships
The 28th IAAF World Cross Country Championships were held 18-19 March 2000 in Vilamoura, Portugal.- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :- Team :- Individual :...
. He moved to Bahrain
Bahrain
' , officially the Kingdom of Bahrain , is a small island state near the western shores of the Persian Gulf. It is ruled by the Al Khalifa royal family. The population in 2010 stood at 1,214,705, including 235,108 non-nationals. Formerly an emirate, Bahrain was declared a kingdom in 2002.Bahrain is...
in 2003 and was granted citizenship in 2004, at the same time getting a new Arabic
Arabic language
Arabic is a name applied to the descendants of the Classical Arabic language of the 6th century AD, used most prominently in the Quran, the Islamic Holy Book...
name. At that time Bahrain acquired a number of runners from African countries, especially Kenya.
Before changing nationality Maina finished seventh at the 2003 World Indoor Championships
2003 IAAF World Indoor Championships
The 9th IAAF World Indoor Championships in Athletics were held in the National Indoor Arena in Birmingham, UK from 14 March to 16 March 2003. It was the first time the Championships had been held in the UK...
and fourth at the 2003 World Athletics Final
2003 IAAF World Athletics Final
The 1st IAAF World Athletics Final was held at the Stade Louis II, in Monte Carlo, Monaco on 13 September and 14 September 2003.The hammer throw event for men and women had to take place in Szombathely, Hungary a week previous as the Monaco stadium was not large enough to hold the event.One of the...
. In 2004 he became Asian Indoor Champion for Bahrain in 3000 metres. This stirred some controversy as he, according to IAAF rules, was not eligible to run for his new country until March 16, 2006. At the end of the season he finished fourth at the World Athletics Final
2004 IAAF World Athletics Final
The 2nd IAAF World Athletics Final was held at the Stade Louis II, in Monte Carlo, Monaco on September 18, and September 19, 2004.The hammer throw event for men and women had to take place in Szombathely, Hungary a week previous as the Monaco stadium was not large enough to hold the event.One of...
for the second year in a row. However, he was absent from the top international level until late 2006 when he won a silver medal at the Asian Games
2006 Asian Games
The 15th Asian Games, officially known as the XV Asiad, is Asia's Olympic-style sporting event that was held in Doha, Qatar from December 1 to December 15, 2006. Doha was the first city in its region and only the second in West Asia to host the games...
. Other medalists for Bahrain included Yusuf Saad Kamel, Belal Mansoor Ali
Belal Mansoor Ali
Belal Mansoor Ali is a middle distance runner now representing Bahrain after changing nationality from Kenya.He was born John Yego on October 17, 1988 in Kenya. A lot of controversy has surrounded his age, starting when he won the 1500 metres race at the 2005 IAAF World Youth Championships in...
and Tareq Mubarak Taher
Tareq Mubarak Taher
Tareq Mubarak Taher, born as Dennis Kipkurui Sang , is a middle distance runner who represents Bahrain after changing nationality from Kenya. His special distance is the 3000 metres steeplechase...
, also imported from Kenya.
On 4 January 2007 Jawher won his first marathon race, the Tiberias Marathon
Tiberias Marathon
The Tiberias Marathon is an annual marathon road race held along the Sea of Galilee in Israel with a field in recent years of approximately 1000 competitors. The competition was first held in 1977 and also hosts the annual Israeli marathon national championship...
held in Tiberias, Israel
Israel
The State of Israel is a parliamentary republic located in the Middle East, along the eastern shore of the Mediterranean Sea...
, finishing in 2 hours 12 minutes and 13 seconds. He was the first athlete from an Arab country to compete in Israel, and was subsequently stripped of his Bahraini citizenship. On 21 January 2007 it was reported that Bahrain had reversed its decision to strip him of his Bahraini citizenship, and has been allowed to continue competing for the Persian Gulf state.
In December 2007, it was reported that he had re-acquired Kenyan citizenship.
He successfully defended Tiberias Marathon victory in 2008 with a course record of 2:10:30. It was also his personal best then. Mucheru competed Tiberias Marathon again in 2009, but finished 2nd with a time of 2:09:37. The winner, Jackson Kipkoech from Kenya, set a new course record of 2:08:07.
In 2010, he failed to make the top ten at the Tiberias race, but was eighth at the high-calibre Dubai Marathon
Dubai Marathon
The Dubai Marathon is an annual marathon running race held in Dubai in the United Arab Emirates.The race is held in January each year, the first being run on 14 January 2000...
and fourth at the San Diego Marathon. He improved his personal best by over half a minute at the Daegu Marathon
Daegu Marathon
The Daegu International Marathon is an annual marathon race which takes place in April in Daegu, South Korea. The day's events also feature a 5K event and a 10K event, as well as the full course marathon ....
in April 2011, taking third place overall.
Personal bests
- 1500 metres1500 metresThe 1,500-metre run is the premier middle distance track event.Aerobic endurance is the biggest factor contributing to success in the 1500 metres but the athlete also requires significant sprint speed.In modern times, the 1,500-metre run has been run at a pace faster than the average person could...
- 3:33.79 min (2001) - One mile - 3:49.75 min (2001)
- 3000 metres3000 metresThe 3000 metres is a popular amateur middle distance track event where 7.5 laps are completed around a 400 metre track. This event is generally classified as middle distance, but it could be classed as a long distance event in many high schools, since they do not promote races such as the 5000 and...
- 7:35.35 min (2001) - 3000 metres steeplechase - 8:47.34 min (2000)
- 5000 metres5000 metresThe 5000 metres is a popular running distance also known as 5 km or 5K in American English. It is one of the track events in the Olympic Games and the World Championships in Athletics. "5000 metres" refers to racing on a track and "5K" usually refers to a roadrace or cross country event...
- 12:59.79 min (2005) - MarathonMarathonThe marathon is a long-distance running event with an official distance of 42.195 kilometres , that is usually run as a road race...
- 2:08:53 min (2011)