Leparon’s dreams: Rudisha sibling plots to break David’s record

By PETER OCHIENG’

Francis Leparon Rudisha (left) leads other athletes during training session at Kimuron Secondary School, recently. [PHOTO:PETER OCHIENG’/STANDARD]

How athletics blood runs deep in Daniel Matasi Rudisha’s household needs no introduction.

Even before the dust settles on David Lekuta Rudisha’s World 800m record of 1:40.91, his younger brother Francis Leparon has shown intentions to break his elder brother’s record.

“I know people will start speculating about future plan of breaking my brother’s world record, yes, that is my dream,” he said. “A good man or woman must always have a target,” Leparon told FeverPitch.

Leparon, 16, is keen to make it to Team Kenya to the 2016 Rio Olympics and stun Kenyans with another stellar performance in the two-lap race. But he must graduate steadily like David and their father Daniel, who rose from 400m to 800m race before competing at the Olympics.

The Form Two student at David’s former school Kimuron Secondary School in Elgeyo Marakwet County blames the Elgeyo Marakwet County Government for doing little to uprgade training grounds.

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“My dream is to excel in Secondary Schools Athletics Championships first before making any serious appearance at international competitions. This could, however be tricky as I have strike a balance between academics and athletics because my future depend on the outcome of my Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education Exams,” Leparon told FeverPitch. 

class eight

The young Rudisha started nurturing his ambition of joining his brother in the track as early as 2012 while he was in Class Eight.

“For one to emerge the best like David, he or she must have trained in decent environment and that’s why I blame Elgeyo Marakwet County government for doing little to improve sports facilities,” he added.

Leparon says he was motivated when his brother, whom he refers as a good friend, represented the country at international competitions.

got excited

“At first, David’s performance shocked me, but later I got excited. One day I asked myself, David has opened the way for us, why not join the trade?” he posed during the interview in Iten.

Rudisha junior made his first appearance during the Secondary Schools Athletics Championships at Tambach High School in May last year and won the 400m junior race in 49.38.

Other upcoming athletes from Kimuron Secondary School are Leparon’s cousin Edwin Olenkeri (800m), Festus Kiprono (3000m steeplechase ) and Charles Kimotwo.

Kiprono 19, lifted the Gold medal in 3,000m during last year’s African junior championship in Mauritius.

“I have participated in several track events including cross country nationally, 2013 Eastern African games and Africa Junior championship in Mauritius among others,” said Kiprono.

Kiprono admires the encouragement from coach Brother Colm O’Connell, whom he describes as his best friend and role model.

Kimuron Secondary School principal Edwin Kosgey is a proud man for producing best runners like David Rudisha.

“We feel proud as a school to hear one of our own mentioned in the list of the best in the world. We are still going to produce even more. We have about 20 good ones but our eyes are on Festus Kiprono and Leparon,” said Kosgey who was accompanied by the school coach Samson Kasimiri and games teacher Titus Kimutai.