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News Brief
Rufaro Samanga
Sep. 16, 2019 09:32AM EST
Sarah Stier/Getty Images

Kenyan Athlete Geoffrey Kamworor Broke the Half Marathon World Record

The athlete broke the world record by 17 seconds.

Seasoned Kenyan long distance runner, Geoffrey Kamworor, gave a stellar performance at the half marathon held in Copenhagen this past Sunday. Kamworor, who is a three-time World Half Marathon Champion, beat the previous record set by fellow Kenyan runner, Abraham Kiptum, by 17 seconds (58:01) according to BBC Sport.

Speaking about setting a new world record, Kamworor said, "It is very emotional for me to set this record. Doing it in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it." While the 26-year-old athlete was behind the world record in the first 5 kilometers of the race, he managed to close the gap in the final 11 kilometers.

According to Jon Mulkeen of the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF), Kamworor had prioritized beating the previous world record for the half marathon and passed on the opportunity to represent Kenya at the IAAF World Championships in Doha, Qatar, later on this month.

Kamworor clinched his first half marathon title back in 2014 and his third consecutive title just last year. He took home silver at the 2015 World Championships and came first in the New York City Marathon in 2017.

Watch the final moments of Kamworor's half marathon race in the video below:

Geoffrey Kamworor Half Marathon World Record www.youtube.com

kenya athletics sports
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'Sulwe' Book Cover

Lupita Nyong'o Releases Debut Children's Book 'Sulwe,' an Ode to Dark-Skinned Kids

The actress says she wrote the book to help children learn to "love the skin they're in," pulling from her own childhood experiences with colorism.

Lupita Nyong'o's highly-anticiapted debut children's book, Sulwe is finally here.

Sulwe is all about self-love, the protagonsit is inspired by the actress herself (and even wears a dress the same that's the same shade of "Nairobi Blue" as the one she wore to the 2014 Oscars).

The book was illustrated by Vashti Harrison, who colors its pages with whimsical drawings of young Sulwe. Here's an official description of the book:

Sulwe has skin the color of midnight. She is darker than everyone in her family. She is darker than anyone in her school. Sulwe just wants to be beautiful and bright, like her mother and sister. Then a magical journey in the night sky opens her eyes and changes everything.

The actress has been promoting the new book with several interviews and appearances. Last week, she appeared on BBC Newsnight where she spoke openly about her experience growing up in a world that places more value on lighter skin and Eurocentric features. "Colorism is the daughter of racism," said Nyong'o.

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Kamil Krzaczynski/Getty Images

Kenyan Athlete Brigid Kosgei Set a New World Marathon Record

Kenyan athletes are on a record-breaking winning streak.

This past weekend, the 2019 Chicago Women's Marathon took place. Twenty-five-year-old Kenyan athlete Brigid Kosgei finished the marathon with a time of 2 hours, 14 minutes and 4 seconds, breaking the world record set sixteen years ago by Paula Radcliffe. Kosgei's impressive time was an entire six-and-a-half minutes ahead of Ethiopia's Ababel Yeshaneh who placed second ahead of Ethiopian runner, Gelete Burka, who then placed third, according to the BBC.

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(Photo Courtesy of DIARRABLU)

Meet the Senegalese Designer Making Math Chic

Diarra Bousso uses algorithms to create designs for her line DIARRABLU.

Who knew that math and fashion could work together so seamlessly? Apparently Diarra Bousso did, the self-described "Creative Mathematician" and mastermind behind DIARRABLU. The Senegalese serial entrepreneur and multidisciplinary artist left a career of trading on Wall Street to pursue design and it paid off. She has just been awarded a coveted spot as the Designer in Residence at the San Francisco Fashion Incubator for her innovative use of equations and algorithms in her beautiful designs.

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(Photo by Emma McIntyre/BAFTA LA/Getty Images for BAFTA LA)

Daniel Kaluuya Is Producing a Live-Action 'Barney' Movie with Mattel

Yes, you read that correctly.

In a move that absolutely no one saw coming, Oscar-nominated actor Daniel Kaluuya is set to produce a live-action Barney movie in conjunction with Mattel Films. The Hollywood Reporter first broke the story.

Kaluuya will co-produce the film as part of his 59% production banner, which signed a first-look deal with Paramount back in May. Speaking on his involvement with the project and the impact of Barney & Friends, Kaluuya had this to say: "Barney was a ubiquitous figure in many of our childhoods, then he disappeared into the shadows, left misunderstood. We're excited to explore this compelling modern-day hero and see if his message of 'I love you, you love me' can stand the test of time."

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