Double world 3000m Steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto has vowed to reclaim the title at August’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
The 2016 Olympic gold medalist admitted that he has gone through a tough period while trying to recover his form and class after sustaining an injury in his lower back two years ago.
“I have some discs in my lower back that have jerked out of place and this triggers a sharp pain that makes it difficult for me sometimes to compete or even train.”
His latest major setback was in Morocco over the weekend, where he dropped midway out of the Rabat Diamond League 2023 race.
“I failed to complete the race in the Rabat Diamond League 2023 in Morocco on Sunday, owing to this problem that keeps recurring,” Kipruto said in an interview on Thursday.
During the blistering race, the reigning Olympic and Diamond League champion Soufiane El Bakkali electrified the home crowd to emerge first with a new personal best timing of 7.56.68. He shattered his meet record of 7:58.28 from last year in the process.
The 2019 Diamond League champion Getnet Wale of Ethiopia placed second with a new personal best of 8:05.15 while Commonwealth Games champion Abraham Kibiwot wrapped up the top three with a personal best of 8:05.51.
Kipruto reckons he can exorcise the ghosts that have haunted him for a long now to storm the gold medal in Budapest come August.
“The recent months have been tough for me and there are many moments I have struggled to get back to usual fitness level and mental strength. I’m not giving up just yet and I intend to fight tooth and nail for gold. I’m determined to bring the title back into the country in August.
Kipruto said he is pounding the track hard in training to perfect his act in Mosoriot under coach Japter Keter who has been honing his skills since 2010 when he was in high school.
“I’m working very hard to ensure I make the country proud in Hungary. I know both El Bakkali and Wale are forced to reckon with but I’m left with no choice but to fight for my country. I want to assure our Kenyan fans that I’m bringing home the gold medal in August.”
The 29-year-old middle-distance sensation who has pledged to rise from the ashes will rely on his extensive experience on the global front to deliver his pledge to Kenyans.
He hopes to replicate his sublime form in the 2017 and 2019 World Championships where he breezed to the winner’s podium.
He bagged the silver in the event during the 2013 and 2015 championships and managed a bronze in 2022.
He also asserted authority in 2018 after capturing gold medals at the African Championships and Commonwealth Games. Besides, Kipruto boasts four titles in the Diamond League. He was a personal best of 8:00.12 at the Birmingham 2016 Diamond League.