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L. MathekaKenya sweating over Olympic steeplechase title with big names absent in Tokyo
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 07.07.21. | 12:19
The men's 3000 metres steeplechase event at the 2020 Summer Olympics is scheduled to take place on 30 July and 2 August 2021 at the Japan National Stadium. 45 athletes are expected to compete.
Kenya men’s 3,000m steeplechase 53-years dominance is under threat as the team heads to the Tokyo Olympics games where Americans and Ethiopians are looking to dethrone Kenya.
Between 1968 and 2016 Olympic outings Kenya has dominated the race but a steady invasion has seen them head to Tokyo with the gold medal in doubt. At the 2019 World Championships, Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto, who did not make the Tokyo team, won by the thickness of his vest against Ethiopia’s Lamecha Girma.
@adidasrunning @one4onesports Final day of Kenyan Olympic Trials 1500m -- Charles Simotwo wins in 3:33.02! /// 3000m SC -- Leonard Bett, Abraham Kibiwott and Benjamin Kigen make it 1-2-3 for our team -- 8:17.26 / 8:17.61 / 8:21.32. pic.twitter.com/4iYBzqLDfu
— Ikaika Sports (@IkaikaSports) June 19, 2021
World Under-20 steeplechase silver medalist Leonard Bett, Commonwealth Games 3000m/sc silver medalist Abraham Kibiwott and Africa champion Benjamin Kigen carry Kenya’s hopes of retaining the title won by Kipruto in Rio, 2016 and extend Kenya’s record to ten straight gold medals at the Olympics in the distance.
During the Athletics Kenya (AK) Olympics trials, Bett crossed the finish line in a time of 8:17.26 Kibiwott was second in 8:17.61. Kigen timed 8:21.32 for third as Kipruto dropped out after two laps.
“Going into the trails, I was nursing a nagging hamstring injury sustained way before the Kenya Defence Forces(KDF) championship and I did not think I stood a chance at qualification. I am happy to report that the problem has since been resolved and I am now working to get my 2019 form back and so far I am impressed with my prospects,” said Kigen adding that coach Julius Kirwa’s program is working.
The 27-year old won steeplechase gold at the 2019 African Games and the 2018 Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting, where he famously beat Kipruto and Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager. He finished the World Championships in Doha in 8:06.95 sixth place.
African Games champion Benjamin kigen is hopeful to win kenya an Olympic medal kwa this years Olympics games. #50YearsOfWinning pic.twitter.com/w1sSZBCiy7
— kihenja (@kihenja_) March 1, 2021
“I am working on my speed work and finishing kick. Ahead of the World Championships in 2019, I had taken part in too many races and that took its toll on me when it mattered. I have since learned and I am taking it easy ahead of the Olympics and the names fronted as favourites this year do not move me. I am going for nothing short of a medal,” said a confident Kigen.
In addition to his countrymen who placed first and second at the trials, the KDF man will have among others USA duo of Hilary Bor and Benard Keter for competition in his quest for an Olympic medal.
