Kiprop bags ticket to Mauritius
Little known Kenneth Kiprop cashed on the absence of established top athletes to win the men’s 10,000m race during the second day of Athletics Kenya National Athletics Championships at Kasarani yesterday.
Kiprop broke away from Wesley Kimutai and Abraham Longisiwa with over seven laps to go for his maiden national title in 28:14.81.
The 25-year-old Kiprop said his win was no fluke as he had prepared well before the race.
“I generally had good preparation before today’s race. I have been doing cross-country races. I won in Endebes and Kapsokwony during the AK Cross Country series. Afterwards, I went to Europe where I won in the Czech Republic, finished third in Prague both in good times as well as running under sub 27 in 10k in France,” he said.
Kiprop who trains at Kaptagat said that this was part of the buildup ahead of the tough challenge that awaits him in his first assignment for Kenya.
“I am over the moon to qualify for the first time to represent the country. That has been my dream for such a long time,” added the athlete who secured a slot in Team Kenya headed for the Africa Senior Athletics Championships set for Mauritius in June for the first time.
Third place
Kimutai was second in 28:32.89 as Longisiwa settled for third place in 28:40.89.
World 10,000m bronze medalist Kipruto who recently bagged the National Police Service title and Kibiwot Kandie, the former world half marathon record holder missed the Kasarani championship.
Kiprop noted that Kenya will need to work smart to stand a chance of bagging a gold medal in 10,000m at the World Championships.
“I believe we have athletes who can deliver on the world stage, we just need to rework our strategy as a country,” Kiprop added.
Kenya last won 10,000m gold at the 2001 World Championships in Edmonton, Canada through Charles Kamathi.
While Kiprop’s focus is the Africa Senior Athletics Championships, he is also interested in the World Athletics Championships slated for July 15 to 24 in Oregon, United States and the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on July 28 to August 8.
