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I’m my own threat, says Koskei

Friday, February 5th, 2021 00:00 | By
Brigid Koskei (right) in action during last year’s London Marathon.. Photo/PD/FILE

Brigid Kosgei, the fastest-ever woman marathon runner, believes that she is the only currently capable of lowering her own World record.

The marathoner who in October 2019 smashed Briton’s Paula Radcliffe’s 16-year-old world record by 81 seconds at the Chicago Marathon says her biggest target, however, was an Olympic gold medal in Tokyo, Japan during the Summer Games in August.

Kosgei who trains at Kapsait Training Camp under coach Erick Kimaiyo says winning the crown in Tokyo will solidify her place among the greatest to have ever competed in the sport.

“My desire is to do my best in whatever race I step into. I want to do better than the previous one.

That is why I believe I can do better. I can lower the world record some day,” said the athlete who holds the women’s marathon record of 2:14.04.

While she has much respect for World Marathon Champion Ruth Chepng’etich and World Half Marathon record holder Peres Jepchirchir, Kosgei remains adamant, only her can lower the world record at the moment.

“Ruth and Peres are very good athletes. When I look at the top athletes we have currently, they are the two names that come to mind.

However, when it comes to the record, I think it’s me who can lower it. I know what it takes.

Currently, I have embarked on speed work. Sharpening that extra edge will make me much stronger.

I am not giving a time frame, but I feel it is very possible,” Kosgei told People Sport.

She, however, said her dreams can only be achieved with the continued support she is getting from all quarters.

“I am ve standing and taking all the honours, the truth however is, there is more to that. I need the support of my coach, manager, teammates and my family. A, combination of all those factors makes me,” she reflected.

The athlete who would have turned 27 a day after the 2021 Ras Al Khaimah Half Marathon in the United Arab Emirates said she is disappointed the race was cancelled on Wednesday.

“We did not run as much as we could have loved last year due to the covid-19 pandemic.

So you can feel the disappointment when you are told a race you have been preparing for has been postponed,” she exclaimed

The mother of twins was speaking yesterday in Nairobi after she was named the brand ambassador for Stanbic Bank Kenya.

The two-year partnership is part of the financial institution’s brand position dubbed ‘It Can Be’ aimed at inspiring and encouraging both internal and external stakeholders to dream  big and achieve their goal.

“We all need partners who believe in us,”she said.

“This is not just for me but the big team behind my success back at home. My dream is to see us grow together and reach higher heights.

The challenges we face in life should not deter us from going forth and achieving our goals.

Through this, I want to grow as individual, while supporting my family and community,” said Brigid, who might have silently talking about the hardship she and her training mates have had to undergo.

With no race on the cards in the near future, Brigid says her big focus is the Olympic, where she is eyeing good medal.

“I am never selective with race, be it marathon, half marathon, 10k or even 5k. I am ever ready. Whenever asked to,” she concluded.

Speaking during the launch yesterday in Nairobi, Stanbic’s Chief Executive  Charles Mudiwa said the slogan It Can Be speaks to the philosophy of who the bank is we they are going.

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