Jacob Krop says the Ethiopians' tricks in the long-distance races have been uncovered and going forward, there will be nowhere to hide.
Speaking after helping Kenya to win a b bronze medal in the 5000m race, Krop said it is no longer business as usual for the Eastern African neighbours.
Krop said it looks like the Ethiopians will have to go back to the drawing board to regain their dominance in both 5,000m and 10,000m.
“Initially, they used the control the pace and ensure that it is slowing before bursting into a sprint with 400m to go. This is no longer working," said Krop.
“Nowadays, we have ensured that they do not get the latitude to operate or execute the traditional final kick.”
Krop fought hard to win bronze in the 12-and-a-half lap race in 13:12.28 behind winner Jakob Ingebrigtsen (13:11.30) of Norway and silver medallist Mohamed Katir (13:11.44) of Spain.
He paid glowing tribute to schoolboy Ishmael Kipkirui for setting the pace early on and stretching the opponents.
“This is what set the race open and at the end, the Ethiopians could not keep the pace,” he noted.
Krop said the Ethiopians had almost ruled out Kenya but winning a bronze was further proof that the country is back after Daniel Simiu also won silver in the 10,000m.
He hopes they will build on their success ahead of Paris 2024 Olympic Games.
Krop said he was a target of the Ethiopians but he read their intentions quite early and changed his tactics.
He said Kipkirui’s action was pre-planned and the opponents did not know how to react.
