The 2023 Commonwealth Games 1,500m champion Josphat Kipkirui is banking on his training with the Olympic 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi to post impressive results at the World U20 games in Lima, Peru.
Kipkirui will line up alongside Collins Koech in the 1,500m event when the games kick off on Tuesday.
The 18-year-old credits his rise to the mentorship of 2008 Olympic 800m silver medallist, Janet Jepkosgei, who spotted his talent early and introduced him to Kenyan-based Italian coach Claudio Berardelli.
It’s under Berardelli's guidance that Kipkirui now trains with Wanyonyi.
“I started running in primary school, where I always finished among the top three. Jepkosgei, who is my village mate spotted my potential and brought me into her camp. Once I honed my skills, she introduced me to Claudio and I started training alongside Wanyonyi,” Kipkirui shared.
Kipkirui is determined to defend Kenya’s 1,500m U20 title, following in the footsteps of Reynold Cheruiyot, who claimed the crown with a 3:35.83 finish at the 2022 Games in Cali, Colombia.
The 18-year-old is also motivated by a family legacy, inspired by stories of his grandfather’s running days.
“People in the village used to tell me my grandfather used to run. They encouraged me and that gave me the drive,” he added.
Kipkirui’s accolades include the 2023 Commonwealth 1500m Games title, which he won in 3:37.66, leading compatriot Andrew Alamisi (3:38.12) and Uganda’s Jacob Sande (3:39.69) to the line
He also holds the 3,000m title from the games with a time of 8:03.65 ahead of Alamisi (8:04.35) and Uganda’s Victor Cherotich (8:19.31).
His other accolades include a win from the 2023 African U18 Championships in Ndola, Zambia, where he stormed to victory in 3:04.0.
His teammate, Collins Koech, is equally optimistic about their chances in Lima. “I am confident we will claim the title. We have a strategy that will enable us to secure the title. We do not want to let the country down,” he noted.
Koech pointed out that his main area of concern is speed. “I am focusing on my speed during training.”
Meanwhile, Mary Nyaboke is eager to reclaim Kenya’s 1,500m crown after the country was edged out by Ethiopia’s Birke Haylom in the 2022 edition.
Purity Chepkirui had previously secured the title at the 2021 games in Nairobi in 4:16.07. In Cali, Chepkirui and Brenda Chebet placed second and third with both clocking 4:04.64, but were outpaced by Haylom who set a course record time of 4:04.27.
“I’m ready to bring the title back home. Our training has been intense, and I believe we have what it takes,” Nyaboke asserted.
Nyaboke will be joined by Miriam Chemutai in the quest for glory in Lima.
