African Games 3000m steeplechase champion Benjamin Kigen is determined to make it to Kenya’s team for Tokyo Olympics as he recovers from a hamstring injury
The Olympics trials will be held in two weeks and Kigen has heightened prepations for them.
Last month before placing second at the Olympic pre-trials last weekend with a timing of 8:26.93, the 27-year-old athlete won the Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) Championships.
Kigen said, “Right now I am focusing firmly on the Olympic trials. I am slowly regaining my shape after suffering a hamstring injury on my right leg.”
With only three available and coveted slots and the likes of Olympic champion Conseslus Kipruto, World Under-20 silver medallist Leonard Bett, 2019 World Championships finalist Abraham Kibiwott among a host of other athletes salivating for the slots.
“For the previous events I have not competed at my best level. However, for the remaining time I will be embarking on speed work and I expect to do well at the trials,” Kigen added.
Ethiopia seems like a big threat Kenya’s dominance in the 3000m steeplechase as they almost clinched a gold medal at the 2019 World Championships in Doha.
Nevertheless, Kigen is confident Kenyans will emerge victorious once again in Tokyo.
For the last three decades, Kenya has been a force to reckon with in the steeplechase as got successive gold medals in the men’s race since 1984 Games in Los Angeles all the way to the last edition in Rio, Brazil.
The 3000m steeplechase champion said, “I know they (Ethiopians) are coming up very well but we are also strong enough. However, we can’t just sit there comfortably, we have to fight to retain our dominance.”
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