After a breakthrough year that saw him clinch silver at the Africa Youth Championships and reach the finals at the World Championships, Jacob Kiprop has set his sights on a gold medal at next year’s World Under-20 Championships.
With the event set to be held in Kenya on July 7-2 at Kasarani, Krop, a student at Chewoyet National School in West Pokot County has vowed to bring home the gold medal in 5,000m race.
Being one of the 14 Athletics Kenya (AK) youth camps established country wide; Chewoyet is hosting 50 athletes under the programme including Krop.
“We have been doing very well in training and are very hopeful of doing well come next year. Personally I have had a good outing and I feel my body responding well,” said Krop.
Apart from the Junior Championships, Krop is also eyeing a slot in Kenya’s team for the Africa Cross Country Championships set for next year March in Togo as well as the Olympic Games penciled for Tokyo, Japan.
After winning silver at the Africa Youth Championships in Abidjan, Ivory Coast, the Form Three student would later defy odds to make the cut in team Kenya for the World Championships.
Krop would team up with compatriot Nicholas Kimeli at the global event and despite missing out on the podium, the athlete says he learnt a lot in Doha.
“For sure I did not expect to make the team but when I went there I learnt a lot because I had to compete with the World’s best. I can say that I learnt a lot and going to next year, I think I am more experienced,” he said.
Krop joins other young prospects who have risen from Chewoyet including African Games 5,000m champion Robert Kiprop and national 5,000m champion Micheal Kibet – both of whom cleared their studies in 2018.
Head coach Edward Moti who doubles up as a Physics and Mathematics teacher at the school heaped praise on the youngster.
“We are very impressed with the progress he is making. He has a lot of potential and for sure if he continues this way he is destined for greatness. When other athletes see the likes of Krop shining it motivates them a lot,” said Moti.
Krop’s journey to stardom has however not been been devoid of its challenges as he hails from a humble background. Raised by a single mother in Lelan, Pokot South Sub-County, he is the second born child in a family of four.
“I thank my coach so much because he is like a guardian to me. He usually supports me here in school because at home we are not that stable,” said Krop.
“Krop is part of our larger Chewoyet family, he even resides here in school over the holidays and we take him as our child and offer him any support he needs,” said Moti
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