Kigen ready for Kip Keino Classic showdown

The dust has not even settled after Olympics 3000m steeplechase bronze medalist Benjamin Kigen swept all and sundry at the Wanda Diamond League final in Zurich to lift the Diamond Trophy but he is already promising another scintillating show at the Kip Keino Classic. 

Kigen saved face for Kenya at the Olympics in Tokyo, bagging bronze as the country ceded the steeplechase title for the first time since the distance was introduced in the Games. The other two times Kenya has missed gold, the country had boycotted the Games. 

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Kigen, however, has since proved to doubters that missing gold in Tokyo was not a statement of his form going forward as twice, he has met the Olympic champion Soufiane El Bakkali, and defeated him in the water and barrier event. 

"There was alot happening in the lead up to the Olympics and I honestly gave my best for that bronze given the circumstances. After getting back in the country upon the conclusion of the Summer Games I had enough time to collect my thoughts and fo back to training for the Diamond League and the results can be seen," said Kigen

First, Kigen led a Kenyan clean sweep of podium places at the Paris Diamond League, clocking 8:07.12 to win the race ahead of compatriots Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett who took silver and bronze respectively in a race that World Champion Conseslus Kipruto attempted to make a return but did not finish the race, neither did Bakkali. 

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The African champion followed that performance with a top place finish in Zurich to win the Diamond trophy. Kigen stuttered and almost stumbled at the last hurdle but his lead was big enough to overcome that momentary lapse and he was able to hold off the charging Bakkali to win in 8:17.45. 

While the Moroccan flew to Kenya from Zurich where he is reported to be plotting his onslaught by training at Karura Forest, Kigen had sponsor obligations in Germany that will keep him there until the eve of the World Athletics Continental Tour (Gold). 

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He was part of the Adidas-organised 'Adizero Road to Records' event held in Herzogenaurach, Germany, Adidas headquarters on Sunday 12 September 2021 morning where he finished eighth in 5K. 

"I used the Adidas race as part of my training since it is an obligation I am happy to fulfill. I will be here(Germany) until 16 September when I leave for Kenya. I will land on 17 September but I am ready for the showdown a day later. I am in good shape and I am promising my competitors another battle. I know the line-up will probably not change much and I will be up against Bakkali, Kibiwott and Bett and I am ready," offered Kigen. 

Kigen further opines that racing at home gives him no advantage at all as tracks are the same so he will not be banking on any edge over Bakkali who is viewed as his greatest competition.