Kenya gives a hero's welcome to marathon record breaker Sabastian Sawe

NAIROBI, Kenya (AP) — Kenyan marathon record-breaker Sabastian Sawe received a hero's welcome home Wednesday, complete with a water cannon salute for the aircraft he was aboard.

Sawe, the first person to break the fabled two-hour barrier in the marathon, was welcomed back to his country by his parents and Sports Minister Salim Mvurya, who hailed the runner's accomplishment at the London Marathon as “a win for Kenya.”

Sawe pulled off the feat, which was long considered unthinkable, on Sunday when he won in a time of 1 hour, 59 minutes, 30 seconds. He bettered the previous men’s world record by 65 seconds.

Before disembarking upon arrival Wednesday at Nairobi’s Jomo Kenyatta International Airport, Sawe told The Associated Press he was proud to have “made a great achievement in life” and was planning to “try and lower the record further.”

He was adorned with a traditional wreath made from twigs to symbolize victory.

Traditional dancers sang his praises as he then climbed into a luxury government vehicle as part of the “heroic welcome” hailed by the sports minister, who said Sawe would be feted on Thursday.

His parents told The AP they knew their son was destined for greatness even as a child, and his mother recounted how he sprinted during bath time.

“He would run too fast. So, I would say to myself, this boy will shine for me one day,” Emily Sawe said.

His father recounted watching Sunday’s marathon at his brother’s house because his television lacked a clear signal.

“The moment my son pulled in front, I walked out and didn’t see him finish the race. I watched the replay afterwards. I was so happy, extremely happy. We screamed so much that now it is hard to swallow anything,” Simion Kiplagat Sawe said.

Sabastian Sawe was introduced to professional running by his uncle, Abraham Chepkirwok, who ran the 800 meters for Uganda at the 2008 Beijing Olympics.

Saw won the Valencia Marathon in 2024, clocking 2:02:05. He went into Sunday's race in London as the defending champion.

His father says Sawe is disciplined and determined: “Even now, he still says that record was not enough; he wants to lower it further."

AP sports: https://apnews.com/sports

Sabastian Sawe is welcomed after arriving on a flight from London, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, after setting a new world record in the marathon. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) CORRECTION: Corrects spelling of first name to Sabastian, not Sebastian

Sabastian Sawe from Kenya crosses the finish line to win the men's race at the London Marathon in London, Sunday, April 26, 2026.(AP Photo/Ian Walton)

Sabastian Sawe poses with air hostesses aboard a plane from London, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, upon arrival at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, after setting a new world record in the marathon. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) CORRECTION: Corrects spelling of first name to Sabastian, not Sebastian

Traditional dancers perform to welcome Sabastian Sawe after he arrived on a plane from London, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, after breaking the marathon world record (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) CORRECTION: Corrects spelling of first name to Sabastian, not Sebastian

Sabastian Sawe poses for a selfie with an airport worker after arriving on a plane from London, Wednesday, April 29, 2026, at Jomo Kenyatta International Airport in Nairobi, Kenya, after setting a new world record in the marathon. (AP Photo/Brian Inganga) CORRECTION: Corrects spelling of first name to Sabastian, not Sebastian

Yasir Al-Rumayyan, the governor of Saudi Arabia's Public Investment Fund who was behind the creation of LIV Golf, is resigning as LIV chairman as the league seeks a new strategy without Saudi funding, according to a report published Wednesday night.

Sports Business Journal cited three people briefed on the development. LIV Golf was planning announce on Thursday a strategy for moving forward without its primary financial backer, including a new board and plans to seek outside financial partners.

LIV Golf did not immediately comment. Any decisions involving Al-Rumayyan would likely come from the PIF, which he has governed since 2015.

Al-Rumayyan is passionate about golf and long wanted a seat at the table. He signed a framework agreement in 2023 with the PGA Tour and European tour. The deal never materialized except for ending antitrust lawsuits.

Scott O'Neil, who replaced Greg Norman last year as CEO of LIV Golf, had told London-based TNT two weeks ago during LIV's Mexico City event that Saudi funding was good through the 2026 season and he would “work like crazy” to create a solid business plan.

That raised questions about whether LIV Golf could keep some of its top players once their lucrative contracts expired. With financial muscle from Saudi Arabia's sovereign wealth fund, LIV Golf was able to spend $1 billion to land the likes of Bryson DeChambeau, Brooks Koepka, Phil Mickelson, Cameron Smith and eventually Jon Rahm, the last big signing at the end of 2023.

The “Money in Sport” newsletter reported earlier this year that LIV Golf already had spent $5 billion since the league launched in 2022, a figure that would be $6 billion by the end of this year.

Players have been aware Saudi funding would not be available after this season. DeChambeau said in an interview with the “Flushing It” social media site that “as long as LIV is here, I would figure out a way for it to make sense.”

AP golf: https://apnews.com/hub/golf

FILE - Captain Jon Rahm, of Legion XIII, makes his way to the course before the final round of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec, Sunday, April 19, 2026 in Naucalpan, Mexico. (Charles Laberge/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - A general view of the 18th hole flag pole during the first round of LIV Golf Jeddah at the Royal Greens Golf & Country Club, Friday, March 1, 2024 in King Abdullah Economic City, Saudi Arabia. (Matthew Harris/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - Captain Bryson DeChambeau, of Crushers GC, waves to the fans at the 17th tee during the third round of LIV Golf South Africa at The Club at Steyn City, Saturday, March 21, 2026 in Midrand, South Africa. (Pedro Salado/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - Captain Bryson DeChambeau of Crushers GC hits his shot from the first tee during the first round of LIV Golf Mexico City at Club de Golf Chapultepec on Thursday, April 16, 2026 in Naucalpan, Mexico. (Scott Taetsch/LIV Golf via AP, File)

FILE - LIV Golf CEO Greg Norman, left, applauds Yasir Al-Rumayyan, Governor of Public Investment Fund of Saudi Arabia, at the LIV Golf Invitational-Chicago tournament Sept. 18, 2022, in Sugar Hill, Ill. (AP Photo/Charles Rex Arbogast, File)