Kiplang’at eyeing exciting run at world indoor tour
Multiple Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 800m champion Nicholas Kiplang’at is eyeing a solid performance at the 2021 World Athletics Indoor Tour that kicks off in Karlsruhe, Germany on January 29.
Kiplang’at who trains at the Nyahururu Athletics Club under the tutelage of coach Jacob Lang’at says the tour will offer enhanced competition opportunities for most athletes.
The 28-year-old adds that the introduction of three tiers of competition – Gold, Silver and Bronze – comprising 26 meetings spread across 12 countries in Europe and North America is yet another exciting thing to look forward to.
“2020 was a challenging year for most of us. It made competition extremely difficult. Personally, I missed out on the Diamond League competitions,” shared Kiplang’at.
The runner who was third in the men’s 1,000m event in the first leg of the Athletics Kenya Relay Series at the Nyayo National Stadium on Saturday believes the action will help him keep in shape for the indoor tour.
“It felt good to compete Saturday. I was able to assess myself and improve before the second leg where I will compete in 800m.
Taking part in a slightly longer distance was good in helping me improve on my endurance,” he added.
Kiplang’at, who holds a personal best of 1:43.37 in the two lap race set in Nairobi in 2016 is however not sure where he will launch his indoor tour competitions, since he has to take part in KDF’s national cross country championships, coincidentally, also happening on January 29.
“I will be taking part in the 2km race at the championships. This is a race I cannot avoid to miss since they’re my employers.
Afterwards, I will be able to get guidance on the races I will be attending,” added the athlete whose last competition was the Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour in Nairobi last October.
