.jpg)
L. MathekaKigen bosses military field, shifts focus to Africa title defence
.jpg)
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 19.05.21. | 18:11
He is also keen to punch a ticket to the Tokyo Olympics through the AK trials slated for later in June where he expects to face stiff competition from among other the Olympics and World champion Consenslus Kipruto.
Benjamin Kigen is a man on a mission to be among the best when Athletics Kenya (AK) choose their team for the 3000m steeplechase Olympics Games, a race that is often referred to as 'the Kenyan race'.
During the just concluded Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Athletics Championship, the Africa Games gold medalist was the man to beat prior to the race as he bossed the field to pick a comfortable win in 8:31. 96.
#Kenya's Benjamin Kigen won a Gold Medal in the Men's 3000m Steeplechase final on 24th October 2019 at the ongoing 7th CISM #Military World Games. Algeria and France settled for Silver and Bronze medals respectively. pic.twitter.com/FDzDn6ME1r
— Kenya Defence Forces (@kdfinfo) October 25, 2019
His tactical run and a strong final lap, having been a 1500m runner before making the switch, made all the difference as he pulled away from the leading pack that had Vincent Rutto, Elkana Cherop and Moses Kibet with about 700m to go and held on for the win.
Rutto bagged silver in 8:36.39 while Cherop completed the podium finishes in 8.36.39 after outsprinting Kibet to third place in the final stretch.
"It was a tough race but I am happy for the win. I had to push myself because my target is to make it to the Olympics trials. I am yet to achieve the Olympics qualifying time but from this championship I am able to tell what I need to work on ahead of the Olympics trials. My speed and lapping need a bit of work. Additionally, I am looking forward to defending my African title and despite the indefinite postponement, I have to keep training so I can be ready whenever a new date is given," offered Kigen.
Congratulations to Benjamin Kigen for winning gold in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase and Lillian Kasait for clinching gold in the women’s 5,000m at the #AfricanGames in Rabat, Morocco. A strong, assertive performance.
— William Samoei Ruto, PhD (@WilliamsRuto) August 27, 2019
The 27-year old won steeplechase gold at the 2019 African Games and the 2018 Prefontaine Classic Diamond League meeting, where he famously beat Conseslus Kipruto and Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager. He finished the World Championships in Doha in 8:06.95.
The KDF championship, arranged and executed with a week's notice saw the 27-year old Nanyuki-based military man cancel plans to feature at Wednesday's (May, 19) Golden Spike Wirld Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting in Ostrava as well as the season opening Wanda Diamond League, Gateshead, in United Kingdom (UK).
"I have to represent my unit, that is my first priority. I had to shelve those two events for this championship and I am yet to discuss with my coach and management on the possibility of featuring in the Doha Diamond League event," he explained.
.jpg)
