- Koech had won the Kenyan trials, but had not attained qualification time
- He is a former world junior bronze medalist
- He will join Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett in the Kenyan team
Simon Koech says he is delighted after finally earning qualification time for the World Athletics Championships, just before the window closed. Koech, 20, put both hands on his ticket to Budapest after winning at the Monaco Diamond League in a time of 8:04.19, well within the 8:15.00 qualification standard.
This was a new personal best, as well as a first ever Diamond League victory for the youngster.
“I was really delighted to get the qualification time because that was the only thing needed. I worked hard for it and I really wanted to make sure I achieve it. Going to Monaco, I felt in very good shape and I knew I was going to do it,” Koech told SportsLeo.
He added; “Now that the ticket is confirmed, the work starts now. I will get back to training and work harder to improve so many things.”
Koech, the 2021 World U20 bronze medalist couldn’t hide his joy after crossing the finish line, punching the air in glory, as he danced his way into a first ever appearance at the senior World Championships.
The youngster had won the Kenyan trials in a slow time of 8:22.55, seven seconds off the requisite mark, and had up to July 30 to seek the qualification standard to confirm his place in the Kenyan team to the Hungarian capital.
Fastest track on the circuit
In Monaco, regarded as the fastest track on the Diamond League circuit, Koech didn’t come to play. From the onset, he took on the pace, clear with his intention to land the qualification time.
He stuck behind the two pace setters all through the race, and once the last one dropped with two laps left, he took on a new gear, charging up the track, with the time well within his favour.
Simon Koech competing at the Diamond League
Kibiwott, also in Kenya’s team for Budapest finished second in 8:09.54 and the two hugely embraced at the finish line, knowing they will now work as a team in Budapest to try return the steeple glory back to Kenya.
Amos Serem, winner of the 2021 World U20 title was 13th in 8:24.02, while former World and Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto, still struggling to come back to form was second from bottom.
Teamwork will help bring back the title
He now hopes that with Kibiwott and Bett, they will battle to regain Kenya’s foothold on the steeplechase, after Moroccan Soufiane El Bakkali won at the last World Champs in Oregon, United States, last year.
“We know that we have a lot of work to do but with good teamwork, I know we can regain the title. It will not be easy but I believe we have a good team. We are all young and hungry and if we do our job well, coordinate together and have good focus, we can win,” noted the 20-year old.
Conseslus Kipruto had hoped to go back to the worlds and try reclaim his title after injury barred him from Oregon, but he wasn’t in the best shape in the Trials, where he failed to finish and dropped off with three laps to go.
You must be logged in to post a comment Login