Africa under 20 5,000m bronze medalist Jacob Krop is looking forward to his World Indoor Championships debut in Belgrade, Serbia this weekend.
The 21-year old will be flying the Kenyan flag in the 3,000m at the championships, which he says is part of his preparations for the World Championships in Oregon, United States in July.
“This is a great opportunity that I have been offered by the federation, now that I have never competed at the indoor championships. I want to prove that I can do well in both outdoor and indoor competitions,” said Krop.
Krop observed that indoor championships are usually fast competitions and that it is the perfect place to test his speed and endurance as he prepares for a second stab at the World Championships following his place finish in Doha, Qatar in 2019.
“My preparations have been going on well and I am hopeful that my training will bear fruits in Belgrade. Making a debut is not easy in a world championship but I have confidence in what my coach, Edward Moti of Sioyi Training Camp in West Pokot has been doing with me,” he said.
Krop alleged that his previous management company did not support indoor running and that he had to shift to get himself a chance.
“I was late in joining indoors because my former manager did not allow such to happen. However, since I changed management, things are running well,” he added.
He will be running alongside Daniel Simiu, who is also keen on competing in the 5,000m race at the Oregon championships in the hunt for the elusive, last won by Benjamin Limo in 2005 in Helsinki, Finland.
Other members of Team Kenya include Africa 100m record holder Ferdinand Omanyala (60m), world 2x2x400m relay team silver medalist Naomi Korir (800m), two-time world indoor 800m champion Collins Kipruto (800m), Eglay Nalianya (800m), world under 20 800m bronze medalist Noah Kibet (800m), Africa under 20 1,500m silver medalist Ednah Jebitok (1,500m and 3,000m), world cross country junior champion Beatrice Chebet (3,000m) and 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games finalist Abel Kipsang (1,500m).
