Kiprotich targeting Continental Tour title defence

Africa Javelin silver medalist Alexander Kiprotich is back in training after a two-week break occasioned by his engagement in the World Under 20 Athletics Championship and has set his sights on defending his World Athletics Continental Tour title.

The Kenyan edition of the Tour, dubbed, Kip Keino Classic, was first held in October last year and the Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) thrower beat seven others to carry the day with a 76.71m throw. 

Despite only managing two throws in the six attempts that weekend, he only needed his first attempt to win the event ahead of Poland's Hubert Chmielak (75.47) and Belarus’ Timothy Herman (75.18). The second Kenyan, Duncan Kinyanjui finished fourth at 69.28. 

Kiprotich was part of the technical team for the discipline at the just concluded World U20 event and says his experience on the sidelines of the world-class action will go a long way in improving his approach to javelin. 

“I learned a lot from the competitors as well as their coaches and manager in terms of technique and how to tactically approach the competitions. The angle and approach on the runway are different. I have been applying such in training and I can see some improvement. For now, my focus is on defending the Kip Keino Classic title and improve my Personal Best while at it,” said Kiprotich. 

During the Athletics Kenya (AK) three-day Olympics pre-trials held in May, Kiprotich managed a 77 throw to place top and qualify for Africa Senior Championships that were set to be held in June but were eventually postponed. He, however, faltered at the national Olympics qualifiers, falling short of the 85m qualifying distance. 

“I am still chasing that 80m plus throw and I believe it will be possible soon. On my way to winning silver at the Africa Games, one of my attempts hit the 85m mark but a foul was called as my foot was adjudged to have touched the throw line. Despite not competing in as many championships as I would have wanted in the lead up to the continental tour, my body is responding well to training and I am confident of breaking that 80m mark,” added the thrower.

The 26-year old won gold at the 2013 African Junior Championships after which the military side came calling. He finished seventh at the 2014 African championships, fourth at the 2015 African Games and seventh at the 2015 Military World Games.  

In 2016, when he began training alongside former world champions Julius Yego, he managed a podium finish, in third place at the African Championship and fifth at the same games in 2018. He competed for an 11th place finish at the 2018 Commonwealth Games which was an improvement from the 2014 edition where he did not reach the final. His personal best stands at 78.84m achieved at the weekend meet in Eldoret back in 2015.