Africa-Press – Kenya. The Africa under-18 1,500m champion Josphat Kipkirui hopes to improve his personal best of 3:40.0 at Commonwealth Youth Games as prepares to join the senior ranks next year.
Kipkirui believes the championships slated for August 4-11 in Port of Spain, Trinidad and Tobago will offer the best opportunity for him to make progress.
“My target in the Caribbean country is to win a gold medal in both the 1,500m and 3,000m races and also lower my PB to at least 3:36. This is a lifetime opportunity to showcase my talent,” offered Kipkirui.
“I target to hit the track harder and be faster than my competitors. It is the only way I will be able to clinch the gold medal and set a new PB,” he stated.
The 16-year-old is fresh from winning a gold medal in the 1,500m race at the Africa Under-18 Championships in Ndola, Zambia.
He clocked 3:40.0 to set his current PB, beating compatriot Brian Muange to second in 3:50.0. Ethiopia’s Mouktar Idriss settled for third in 3:50.01.
Kipkirui inspired by Olympic champion Norwegian Jakob Ingebrigtsen said he has worked extremely hard to improve on his speed in a bid to storm the title.
“I have been watching Ingebrigtsen run and what I like most about him is his speed. During training, all I was doing was to improve my speed since this is the only way I can remain unbeatable. I feel very ready for the race,” he added.
In his ambition to run in the senior category, Kipkirui is targeting the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Japan. He believes he will be ready for the challenge if his current hard work in training is anything to go by.
“My target is to race in Tokyo in 2025. I train with the likes of Emmanuel Wanyonyi and I’m learning a lot from him despite him taking the 800m race. The race ahead will be a stepping stone for me.”
At just 16, Kipkirui has already competed with the seniors during the Athletics Kenya national championships in June, where he finished eighth in 3:43.94.
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