• The 20-year-old is fresh from winning the Monaco Diamond meeting, where he clocked 8:04.19 to set a new personal best
• Koech confirmed he is not worried about Moroccan Sofianne El Bakalli who has captured the steeplechase mantle from Kenya since 2021.
Image: HANDOUT
The 2021 World Athletics Under-20 3,000m steeplechase bronze medalist Simon Koech has warned he will not leave any stones unturned in his quest to win the gold medal in next month's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
Koech has cautioned his competitors to expect a vicious battle, saying his win at the Monaco Diamond League last month has boosted his morale and confidence to contest with the seniors despite his young age.
"I don't plan to turn down any chances of the gold medal. My competitors should be wary of me and be ready for a fierce battle. I want to become a world champion at my age and that is what I will do," offered the national steeplechase champion.
The 20-year-old is fresh from winning the Monaco Diamond meeting, where he clocked 8:04.19 to set a new personal best. He beat compatriot Abraham Kibiwott to second in 8:09.543 while Ethiopia's Abraham Sime settled for third in a new PB of 8:10.56.
"I know my win in Monaco shocked the world and I plan to do the same in Budapest. I will use last month's win as a motivation to do better. The win elevated my confidence and I am now determined to become a champion," Koech added.
Koech said he is not worried of Moroccan Sofianne El Bakalli who has captured the steeplechase mantle from Kenya since 2021. He added that in his training, he has majorly focused on his speed as he prepares to race against the Moroccan.
"I am aware the competition will be fierce, especially from El Bakalli who seems unbeatable but I am not worried about anyone. I want to prove my capabilities. I know he watched me win in Monaco and he knows what to expect from me," said the KDF steeplechase champion.
Koech, coached by John Kimetto, is also determined to run under-8 minutes in Budapest with the help of a faster pacemaker. He said he was determined to achieve this feat in Monaco but the pacesetter was slow.
"I could have run sub-8 only if the second pace-maker could have been faster. If I get a faster pacemaker in Budapest sub-8 will not be a problem for me. My body feels great and my speed has really improved. I hope to achieve the two targets God willing," the Laikipia-Air-based soldier pointed out.
Koech punched his ticket to the Hungarian capital after winning the national trials in eight minutes and 25.55 seconds last month.
The teenager beat Commonwealth Games steeplechase champion Abraham Kibiwott to second in 8:26.45 while the 2018 World Under-20 steeplechase silver medalist Leonard Bett settled for third in 8:26.99 to claim the final seat on the plane to Hungary.
The Bomet-born athlete has been in fine form this season, winning all the races he has featured including the national championships and the KDF Championships.