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Former 3000m steeplechase world record holder Wilson Boit and former world junior silver medallist Kipkurui Misoi are on a mission.
After dominating the 3000m steeplechase event in 1990s and early 2000s, the two legends are back from retirement to try and help reclaim Kenya’s glory in the water and barrier race.
The duo say their presence in training bases will be frequent as they begin the race to help Kenya regain its stranglehold in 3000m steeplechase.
Boit, who led a Kenyan podium sweep at the 1997 World Championships, says legends have been jolted by Kenya’s waning dominance, especially in the men’s steeplechase in recent years.
At the global stage, Kenyan men have lost to emerging greats such as Moroccan Soufianne El Bakkali, a two-time Olympic and World champion and Ethiopian Lamecha Girma, the 7:52.11 world record holder in the event among other big shots.
Boit, who had a stint in politics, becoming a majority leader at the Elgeyo Marakwet County Assembly in the 2013-2017 term said legends have agreed to join the hunt for the next generation of 3000m steeplechasers.
The legend says it was not pleasing to see Kenya faltering in the steeplechase, a race it dominated through the likes of two-time Olympic champion Ezekiel Kemboi from 2004 and previously by legends such as Boit and former record holder Moses Kiptanui.
“During my prime in 1997 to 2001, we would take the top four spots in many international races. As steeplechase legends, we have decided to come out of our retirement, in search of solutions to the challenges that led to Kenya losing the grip on steeplechase,” Boit said.
Last Friday, he was at Complete Sports in Kaptagat to motivate aspiring steeplechasers in his quest to see the glory back.
At the mission in Kaptagat, he gave upcoming steeplechasers who had turned up for time trials tactics and what he described as the wisdom to win steeplechase.
“We have had talks among all the legends and we have agreed to take up the role of returning our lost glory. We have decided to be occasionally present in training camps to share tactics,” Boit told Standard Sports in an interview.
He went on: “Unlike other races such as 1500m, 5,000m or 10,000m, the 3000m steeplechase is a technical event. There are a number of things that must be done so that you perfect steeplechase running. The best thing is to be closer to the upcoming steeplechase athletes and give them some tactical doses.”
He is advocating for more rigorous training because, he says, it requires more endurance.
The retired athlete says steeplechase is an event that Kenya should defend at all costs.
“If you don’t train over the barriers, it will tire you, you lose time and those who have finished the lactic acid in their muscles will beat you. We want the athletics federation to assist with the needs. Let us help our upcoming stars and they will produce the results,” he says.
He advises Kenya to establish a national camp where athletes representing the country get top notch training.
Once an athlete has been identified as a potential team Kenya runner, Boit says, they should be in a residential camp for the better part of their careers.
“There is a need for Kenya to have a national camp where talent in all events are nurtured and where the best coaches change hands as they produce the best teams for Kenya.
He criticised what he termed as overuse of science in athletics, saying sport should be natural.
“If we employ science, let us do it on the facilities and let all athletes benefit from such facilities; it is not just about one athlete using scientifically made equipment and then we say he is a good champion because of science.”
Misoi, a 1999 African 3000m steeplechase champion, who is also a coach in Nyahururu said many potential steeplechasers are forgotten as attention shifts to a few fast-rising stars.
He said the country had a huge potential, adding that he was impressed by the Complete Sports time trials.
“Those of us who are back to help in nurturing the next generation of steeplechase athletes are not relenting until we regain our stranglehold,” Misoi said.
Former 800m Commonwealth champion Japheth Kimutai, who is a director at Complete Sports says more time trials will help coaches in identification of potential talents.
Kimutai said the return of legends in the quest to reclaim steeplechase dominance is giving Kenya’s push to win more medals in the steeplechase as the race towards the 2025 Tokyo World Championships begins.
“The results of the time trials are impressive. Our legends feel that the potential is huge,” Kimutai said.
Athletics Kenya Uasin Gishu chairman Joseph Boit said training more coaches is part of the process to regain steeplechase and other events.
Wycliffe Cheruiyot an upcoming steeplechaser from Nyaharuru, who won one of the 3,000m steeplechase heats at the time trials said he hoped to be among the athletes who will bring back the 3000m steeplechase glory.
Athletes from different clubs competed in a tough contest for best times.
Lornah Jepkoech from Kaptagat-based Complete Sports said: “I run 5000m but I have always wanted to be a steeplechaser. I am happy that I emerged top after I decided to give it a try. My 3000m steeplechase begins. I want to compete alongside Olympic silver medallist Faith Cherotich.”
