# James Kwalia

James Kwalia C'Kurui (born James Kwalia Chepkurui on 12 June 1984) is an athlete who represents Qatar after switching from his homeland Kenya. Specializing in the 3000 and 5000 metres, his personal best times are 7:28.28 minutes and 12:54.58 minutes respectively. He was born in Trans Nzoia. He is the current holder of the Asian indoor record over 5000 m which he broke in Düsseldorf in February 2009.

## Biography

He had his first success while competing for Kenya when he won the bronze medal in the 3000 m at the 2001 World Youth Championships in Athletics. His first senior medal came at the 2004 IAAF World Athletics Final, where he took the 3000 m silver. He transferred to represent Qatar following this and was very successful in Asian competitions, winning at the 2005 Asian Athletics Championships and the 2006 Asian Games.
He represented Qatar at the Olympics for the first time with an appearance at the 2008 Beijing Games – he finished eighth in the 5000 m. He improved at the next major competition, taking the bronze medal at the 2009 World Championships in Athletics. A streak of wins at Asian championships followed: he set a new Games record in the 3000 m at the 2009 Asian Indoor Games, won the 5000 m title at the 2009 Asian Athletics Championships for a second time and won his first indoor title soon after at the 2010 Asian Indoor Athletics Championships. From the beginning of his career, he was coached by the Italian Renato Canova, under the management of Gianni Demadonna.
He is from Kaptama in Mount Elgon District. Prominent runner Edith Masai is from the same area.

## International competitions

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event | Time | Team | Notes |
| 2001 | World Youth Championships | Debrecen, Hungary | 3rd | 3000 m | 7:57.71 | Kenya |
| 2005 | World Cross Country Championships | St Etienne, France | 15th | Short race | | Qatar |
| 2005 | World Championships | Helsinki, Finland | 13th | 5000 m | 13:38.90 | Qatar (QAT) |
| 2005 | Asian Championships | Incheon, South Korea | 1st | 5000 m | 14:08.56 | Qatar |
| 2006 | World Cross Country Championships | Fukuoka, Japan | 43rd | Short race | | Qatar |
| 2006 | Asian Games | Doha, Qatar | 1st | 5000 m | 13:38.90 | Qatar (QAT) |
| 2008 | Asian Indoor Championships | Doha, Qatar | 3rd | 3000 m | 7:50.76 | Qatar |
| 2008 | World Indoor Championships | Valencia, Spain | 9th | 3000 m | 8:00.44 | Qatar |
| 2008 | Olympic Games | Beijing, China | 8th | 5000 m | 13:23.48 | Qatar (QAT) |
| 2009 | Asian Indoor Games | Hanoi, Vietnam | 1st | 3000 m | 8:00.40 | Qatar | GR |
| 2009 | Asian Championships | Guangzhou, China | 1st | 5000 m | 14:02.90 | Qatar |
| 2009 | World Championships | Berlin, Germany | 3rd | 5000 m | 13:17.78 | Qatar (QAT) |
| 2010 | Asian Indoor Championships | Tehran, Iran | 1st | 3000 m | 7:57.73 | Qatar |
| 2010 | World Indoor Championships | Doha, Qatar | 8th | 3000 m | 7:46.12 | Qatar | |
| 2010 | Asian Games | Guangzhou, China | 2nd | 5000 m | 13:48.55 | Qatar (QAT) |

## Circuit performances

| Year | Competition | Venue | Position | Event |
| 2003 | World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 5th | 3000 m |
| 2004 | World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 2nd | 3000 m |
| 2005 | World Athletics Final | Monte Carlo, Monaco | 6th | 5000 m |
| 2008 | World Athletics Final | Stuttgart, Germany | 5th | 3000 m |