Kiprotich set for Finland training ahead of busy 2023/24 season

Africa Games (2019) javelin silver medalist Alexander Kiprotich has put his Commonwealth Games woes behind him as he embarks on a journey to qualifying for both the World Athletics Championships next year and the Olympic Games in 2024. 

The Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) athlete has had to content with a nagging knee injury during the African Championships and the Commonwealth Games which slowed him down considerably. 

He finished in fifth place with a 70.36 throw in Mauritius as compatriot Julius Yego won in 79.62. Kiprotich improved to 77.93 in Birmingham for an eighth-place finish as Yego managed bronze with a massive season best throw of 85.70. 

"I hit my knee on hard ground during a stretching session in Nairobi about two months ago and hurt my knee. I thought it was something minor but it turns out the more I kept competing or training the more I aggrevated the issue. 

It really slowed me down during competitions and that affected my performance. I was in a good place and I felt ready especially heading to Birmingham but the pain could not allow me to give my best. I am starting a rigorous rehabilitation process and I should be okay in about a month," explained Kiprotich. 

Kiprotich is among eleven athletes who, in May, received sponsorship from the National Olympic Committee of Kenya (NOCK) ahead of the Paris 2024 Games.

The scholarship holders are to receive a monthly subsidy until August 2024 to support their training and qualification costs. 

The grants also include specialised coaching services, equipment, local and overseas training, regular medical assistance and monitoring and other items that would assist the athletes so that they can focus on their journey to prepare and qualify for the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

Youtube Man Yego angling for last hurray before exiting javelin stage

It is from this that the javelin thrower has been able to land a training programme in Finland where he is expected to camp for six months. 

"I should have left for Finland already but I will have to deal with this injury conclusively before heading out since the programme will require that I be at my best. I am confident the training will propel me to qualifying for the World Championships and Olympics as soon as the windows opens," offered a confident Kiprotich.