Reynold Cheruiyot hints at shift from 1500m
Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 13.08.25. | 18:30
His focus, currently, is on preparations for the Tokyo World Championships
Is 2022 World Under-20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot eyeing a shift to the 5,000m?
On Friday, 16 May, Reynold delivered a stunning performance at the Doha Diamond League, storming to victory in the men’s 5,000m with a personal best of 13:16.40.
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Under the floodlights of the Suheim Bin Hamad Stadium, Cheruiyot bid his time before unleashing a blistering kick in the final lap to seal the win.
Behind him, Switzerland’s Dominic Lobalu and Bahrain’s Birhanu Balew battled to the line in a photo finish, both clocking 13:17.70 for second and third, respectively.
The Doha win mirrored his recent Athletics Kenya trials triumph last month, where he edged out 2019 world champion Timothy Cheruiyot in a fierce last-lap sprint.
Speaking to Mozzart Sport, Reynold revealed that while a permanent move to the 5,000m is possible, his immediate focus is on the 1500m at the World Championships in Tokyo, set for Saturday, 13 to Sunday, 21 September in Tokyo.
Kenya last claimed gold in the event in 2019 through Timothy, and Reynold is determined to restore that glory.
“At this point, I cannot promise anything over that distance until I bring home a medal in the 1,500m. Maybe from there, I will proceed to running 5,000m,” he said.
With Kenya also enduring a 5,000m medal drought, Reynold might just be the man to strike gold.
His training regime is telling, heavy focus on the last 400m, plus 100m sprints to sharpen his finishing speed.
“During my training, I mostly focus on the last 400m. Before I start my workout, I also run 100m. So I'm always confident that the last 100m will never be stressful for me,” he disclosed.
The journey to Tokyo has not been without its mental battles. Reynold admitted that before booking his ticket, he was consumed by the thought of competing against the world’s best.
“My heart is now very calm. Before heading to the World Championships trials, I had not slept for two weeks, just thinking about the race. I was seeing guys running 3 minutes, and I was thinking that I was not the best in my discipline. But I am grateful that God enabled me and I made the team,” he said.
Team Kenya is currently in camp in Eldoret as Nairobi’s facilities remain unavailable due to CHAN.
“At the camp, we will harmonize and see what we can improve, and see if we can bring a medal from Tokyo,” he concluded.
In Tokyo, he will line up alongside rising star Fanuel Koech and seasoned campaigner Timothy, a trio that could make Kenyan middle-distance history.
