Kipsang raring to go after Indoors
After bagging his first major global title, Abel Kipsang is hopeful the victory signifies the start of a productive phase in his career.
On Sunday Kipsang won Kenya a bronze medal in 3:33.36 in the men’s 1,500m as the 2022 World Indoor Championships ended in Belgrade, Serbia. He told his fans to be patient and wait for better things at the World Athletics Championships at Eugene, Oregon in July.
“Let them continue having faith in me… there are many championships ahead, including the World Championships. I will not let them down,” he noted.
Given that he was up against World Indoors record holder Norway’s Jakob Ingebrigtsen and Ethiopia’s defending champion Samuel Tefera, Kipsang knows his time is coming.
“Today I’ve improved to third and won bronze and I’m happy. When we go to the World Championship, I will make sure they (Tefera and Ingebrigtsen) don’t finish ahead of me, I must get gold,” declared Kipsang.
Kipsang who trains in Kapcherop, Elgeyo-Marakwet County has been to the African Games and well as the Olympic Games, where he was a finalist.
“I’m very happy with the bronze because at previous championships I’ve just fallen short. Both at the African Games in 2019 and the Olympic Games last year I also finished fourth. I see progression,” he added.
In the final, pre-championship favourite Ingebrigtsen was stunned by Tefera who won in 3:32.77, a new championship record. The Norwegian took silver in 3:33.02.
Going to other races, Kipsang has vowed to stick to his front running style.
“I like attacking from the front because I can’t survive if I stay at the back. I’m used to front-running.
I will now work on my speed and by the time the World Championship comes round, I will be ready,” he said.
Kipsang’s medal was the second for Kenya who had through youngster Noah Kibet won silver in the men’s 800m on Saturday
Kenya finished the championship with two medals an improvement from 2018 in Birmingham, England when Betwell Birgen was the lone medalist in the 3,000m.
