Kipsiele confident of Berlin victory

By Mutwiri Mutuota

Had trials not been the favoured mode of selecting the national athletics team for major events, Paul Kipsiele Koech would probably be one of, if not, the most decorated steeplechaser at international championships.

As it were, only wildcard entries have come to the rescue of arguably the fastest water and barrier race exponents in recent times.

For four years in a row, Kipsiele has topped the steeplechase world list and won successive World Athletics Final (the climax event of the World Athletics Tour that includes all Golden League, Grand Prix and Area Permit meetings excluding championships) in as many years.

Since 2001, Kipsiele has bestrode the men’s steeplechase circuit like a colossus, but incidentally, the charming runner does not hail from the Marakwet region, the traditional breadbasket for steeplechasers.

Third showing

However, the curse of Kenyan trials has continued to dog his career, limiting him to bronze (Athens Olympics 2004) and a seventh finish (Helsinki Worlds 2005) in his only outings for his country at international outdoor championships. As for his third showing in Berlin, Athletics Kenya (AK) granted Kipsiele a wildcard.

"I don’t know why I struggle at the national trials. This year, I even trained in Nairobi and specifically at the Nyayo National Stadium track, but still it did not work.

I was not expecting to be selected for Berlin, but I’m pleased to get the chance to try and win the gold I deserve," Kipsiele said after landing outside selection for Berlin despite finishing sixth (8:36.75) at the trials.

Winning run

As he left for Berlin on Monday, Kipsiele, a farmer in Kericho where he produces, among other things, packed yoghurt for sale, was confident of matching his awesome potential with a winning run.

"It’s time I rewarded all those who have had faith in me and I pray for the best," he said.

Kipsiele decided to prepare for the Berlin trials by making a rare appearance at the national championships on June 25 where he finished fifth in 8:37.5.

As a philanthropist, Kipsiele teamed up with his managers, Golazo Sports, to construct a primary school a short distance from his residence in addition to taking up some 15 aspiring runners, including World Junior (2008), World Youth (2007) and Africa Junior (2009) women 3,000m champion, Mercy Cherono under his training guidance.

A father of two, his son Brian Kibet, 4, is keen to follow in his footsteps, but Kipsiele insists the boy has to go through his education first.

"Whenever he sees his daddy on television or in newspapers after competition, he expresses a great wish to be like him. It’s encouraging but education is more important," he said. Daughter Claire Chepkemoi, 5, is first-born.