Daniel Komen: Early life, Forgery & Net Worth
Daniel Komen is a well-known Kenyan middle and long-distance runner. Interestingly, he was just seventeen when he kicked off his professional career.
Moreover, Daniel Komen stood second at the World Junior Cross Country Championships.
Furthermore, his most striking achievements are in the two-year period between 1996 and 1998. In addition, he broke a string of world records.
Similarly, Daniel recently holds the world record for the 3000 meters both outdoors and indoors.
Clearly, Komen remains the only man in history to run back-to-back sub-four-minute miles, which he set in 1997 with a 7.58.61 world record in the 2-mile race.
The runner is also the second man to break the 14-minute mark for the 5000 meters after Said Aouita.
So, how well do you know about this Kenyan runner? In this article, you will find detailed information about Daniel.
Quick Facts
Here are some astonishing quick facts about Daniel Kipngetich Komen:
| Full Name | Daniel Kipngetich Komen |
| Nickname/Celebrated Name | Daniel Komen |
| Date of Birth | May 17, 1976 |
| Birthplace | Elgeyo Marakwet, Kenya |
| Age | 47 Years Old |
| Zodiac Sign | Taurus |
| Parent’s Name | Father’s name- Not available Mother’s name- Not available |
| Siblings | Not available |
| Nationality | Kenyan |
| Tribe | Keiyo |
| Ethnicity | Kalenjin |
| Wife | Joyce Komen |
| Children | Not available |
| Height | 5 ft 7 in (170m) |
| Weight | 55 kg (121lbs) |
| Body Type | Athletic |
| Eye Color | Black |
| Hair Color | Black |
| High School | Not available |
| University | Not available |
| Profession | Athlete/Long-distance runner |
| Current Status | Retired |
| Years Active | The early 1990s to late 1990s |
| Achievements and Titles | Gold medal (5000m) World Championships, 1977 Athens |
| Represented Country | Kenya |
| Net worth | $1 million – $5 million |
| Merch | Long-Distance Runner – Vintage Press Photo, Photo of Olympic Athlete |
| Social Media | Not available |
| Last Update | April2024 |
Daniel Komen: Early Life and Family
Daniel Komen was born on May 17, 1976. He was born in Elgeyo Marakwet District, Kenya.
Similarly, he is from the Keiyo sub-tribe of the Kalenjin people. Likewise, he grew up in a rural area of Kenya’s Rift valley Province.
Interestingly, the athlete was just seven when he began running to get to and from school.
Moreover, at the age of fourteen, he discovered his ability to run when traveling to Australia.
However, sadly, there is no further more information about his family and his educational background.
Daniel Komen: Body measurements
The former long-runner stands 5 ft 7 in (1.70m) tall and weighs around 55 kg (121 lbs).
Likewise, Daniel’s body type is athletic. Similarly, his hair color is black, and so as his eyes are as well.
Additionally, being born in May, Daniel Komen’s zodiac sign is Taurus.
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Daniel Komen: Career
Evidently, Daniel first emerged in the senior ranks in 1994.
Moreover, he won a place on Kenya’s 10,000 meters team for the 1994 Commonwealth games. Despite this, he was placed in ninth.
However, the next year, he set the world record in the 5000 meters with a time of 12:56.15 at the Golden Gala meet in Rome, Italy.
Likewise, he broke Noureddine Morceli’s former record by running a spectacular world record time of 7:20.67 in the 3000 meters on September 1, 1996.
Similarly, it was a year after he made history by running two miles under eight minutes in Hechtel, Belgium. Yet, interestingly, no one has ever managed to break his record.
Furthermore, sadly, he missed his previous world record by 0.30 seconds at an Australian athletics in Sydney.
Moreover, the athlete broke the 5000 meters world record and took two seconds off of Haile Gebrselassie in August 1997.
Likewise, he, interestingly, broke the indoor 3000 meters record of Haile Gebrselassie just after twelve days.
Moreover, he set the record twelve days earlier in Budapest on February 6, 1998.
In addition, this mark is also referred to as “Mount Everest” in athletics circles.
Interestingly, Kenenisa Bekele believes that breaking Daniel’s world record is only possible on a special day if the pace is good and everything else is perfect.
In addition to this, the runner has also won the 1997 World Championships and the 1998 Commonwealth Games 5000 meters champion.
Likewise, he has also won the 5000 meters race at the 1998 IAAF World Cup.
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Daniel Komen: Achievements and Honours
At a glance, Daniel is a World Championships Gold medalist. Moreover, he has won the silver medal twice in the World Cross Country Championships.
Furthermore, he is also the African Championships Gold medalist.
In addition to all of these, the athlete is two-times World Championships finalist as well.
Similarly, he is a two-timing Golden League meeting winner. Likewise, Daniel is also the current world record holder in 3000 meters event.
Additionally, he is also a current African Record holder in 3000 meters.
Daniel Komen: Forgery
Sadly, World Record holder Daniel was filled with six counts of forgery and taking money by pretenses.
Clearly, he was accused of obtaining money from Thomas Getanguta of Suzuki Escudo worth 1.75 million.
Similarly, his next accusation was forgery for a crime allegedly committed on September 1, 2015.
The court charged him with forging a motor vehicle sale agreement. Likewise, he was also accused of uttering a false document.
Likewise, he was also charged with forging an acknowledgment letter for the $7000 he received from Odhiambo in 2014.
Similarly, he was also accused of issuing a bad cheque in the same year.
However, through his lawyer John Swaka, a director of Kenya Sports Consultants, the runner denied the charge. He was then released on a $4500 bond.
Daniel Komen: Retirement
Unfortunately, Daniel went out of the fame and career in the late 1990s. There is no specific reason behind it yet.
However, he recently serves as the Keiyo North Rift Athletics Association chairman and co-director of a private school with his wife, Joyce.
Moreover, there is no information about his wife as well.
Daniel Komen: Net worth
The Kenyan athlete Daniel Komen has an estimated net worth of $1 million – $5 million.
His primary source of income was his running career, but now, he earns as a Keiyo North Rift Athletics Association chairman and as a co-director of a private school.
Daniel Komen: Social Media
Unfortunately, the athlete is not available on any social platform.
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Frequently Asked Questions (FAQs)
What is the rank of Daniel Komen among athletes born in Kenya?
Interestingly, among athletes born in Kenya, Daniel Komen ranks 15th.
Who is referred to as the top athlete born in Kenya of all time?
Kipchoge Keino is the top athlete born in Kenya. He was born in 1940, and he is from Nandi County, Kenya.
