• Kiprotich admitted that he has a busy season next year where he is scheduled to feature in the Kip Keino Classic in May and the African Games in August.
• Like Yego, he said most of his training revolves around watching YouTube videos and consulting people online.
Image: ERICK BARASA
The 2019 African javelin silver medallist Alexander Kiprotich has set his sights on debuting at next year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Kiprotich admitted that he has a busy season next year where he is scheduled to feature in the Kip Keino Classic in May and the African Games in August.
“I have a busy schedule next year but my main goal is to qualify for the World Championships,” Kiprotich said.
He revealed that he has received a National Olympic Committee of Kenya scholarship to train in Finland
"The National Olympic Committee scholarship is a major boost and I am looking forward to specialized training in Finland ahead of next year's events," he noted, adding that he is also eyeing a slot at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Kiprotich said he looks up to fellow countryman and the 2015 World javelin champion Julius Yego for motivation.
“Yego is my friend and has always motivated me to do well. I also follow many other top javelin throwers around the globe and I know I am on the right path," he said.
Meanwhile, Kiprotich has lamented the country's lack of effective training equipment and coaches.
Like Yego, he said most of his training revolves around watching YouTube videos and consulting people online. He added that due to this problem, many young athletes tend to give up.
“We lack coaches and training equipment. The federation needs to recognize and support our talent because this will enable continuity and diversification in the sport,” he said.
Despite the challenges, Kiprotich said he will not give up on his dreams because of the passion he has for javelin. He said he started playing while in Kaboriot Primary School and while in Class 7, he represented his school at the national level and won a trophy.
From that time, Kiprotich said he knew he was destined for greatness. He recalled his most memorable moment to be the 2013 African Junior Championships where he won gold.
He said with proper support, he hopes to emulate Yego by winning major titles. He added that he is now targeting to throw 90m and maybe someday, break the Kenyan javelin record of 92.72 set by Yego during the 2015 Beijing World Championships.
“I think javelin is in my blood. I believe there is light at the end of the tunnel and one day, I would love to break the Kenyan record (92.72m)…I believe I can do it,” Kiprotich said.
He added: “You need passion in order to keep pushing lest you will give up. Patience is also essential because you learn new things every day.”