Olympic 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen believes next year will be better if he translates his hard work in training to the track.
Kigen said he is eagerly awaiting the busy national and international athletics calendar in 2022, beginning February with the World Indoor Games.
"I already have a plan for next year and I am just waiting to resume training in January. Right now, I am in my off-season, evaluating the year as I undertake my military courses in Samburu," the All Africa 3,000m steeplechase champion said.
It has been a year of mixed fortunes on the track for the military man whose season began on a disappointing note at the 1st Athletics Kenya weekend meeting in February at Nyayo Stadium, where he finished 11th in the finals of the men's 3000m steeplechase.
However, he recovered to secure his ticket in the plane to Tokyo when he placed third at the national trials for the Olympics, timing 8:21.32 behind World Under-18 2,000m champion Leonard Bett and Commonwealth champion Abraham Kibiwott.
His bronze medal at the Games salvaged some pride on a day when Kenya was dethroned by Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali as the kings of steeplechase after a 53-year reign. Looking back to the event, Kigen says that is the nature of competition.
"Sometimes you win and sometimes you are defeated. That is how it is. However, let's see what next year has in store for us. I am confident it will only be a matter of time before we reclaim our steeplechase crown because the talent is there," he said.
The 2018 Prefontaine Classic winner added: "From February, it will be a busy year for us. First, there will be the World Indoor Championships before we shift focus to the Commonwealth Games, not forgetting the World Championships in Eugene. So, there is need for proper preps."
Kigen's other sweet moment of 2021 was in early September when he trumped Bakkali to the Diamond League trophy and avenged Kenya's defeat at the Olympics.
His last race was at the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour where he finished sixth in the steeplechase final.
