Koros sets sight on World Championships after Olympics disappointment

Missing the chance to represent Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics has ignited a fire in 29-year old Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) 10,000m champion Collins Koros and his dream is to make the team for upcoming championships.

Koros finished fourth in the national Olympics trials won by Geoffrey Kamworor with Rodgers Kwemoi and Weldon Langat finishing second and third respectively. 

Koros’ lucky gamble paying off on the track

His hopes of making the team after Kamworor withdrew citing injury were short-lived as Athletics Kenya (AK) moved to replace the three-time world half marathon champion with Rhonex Kipruto who had dropped out of the race during the trials. 

The disappointment notwithstanding, Koros is keen to come back stronger and contest for a place in the Kenyan team for the upcoming events that include the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games.  

"It was disappointing but I have since put that behind me and began preparing for the next challenge. I am yet to represent the country but I believe my time is soon coming. For now, my focus is on making the World Championships squad. I know we have the World Athletics Continental Tour in Nairobi on 18 September 2021 but I am yet to know whether I will get a chance to compete," said Koros. 

As part of his preparation for the demanding season expected, the athlete began building on his endurance by pacing at the Berlin Half Marathon held on Sunday 22 August 2021. 

He was the last pace setter to drop off the race at 13km as his countryman Felix Kipkoech went on to clock a world leading time of 58:57 to win the men’s race. The 23 year-old improved his own world lead by 38 seconds. Fellow Kenyans Josphat Tanui and Philemon Kiplimo followed in second and third with 59:40 and 59:54 respectively.

Kenyans shine at Berlin Half Marathon

On Sunday 11 September 2021, Koros will be back in Germany, this time competing in a 10km Adidas' organised race where he will be looking to improve on his personal best time of 27:25.56 set during the Olympics trials. 

"This will be my first road race ever. I am not transitioning to road racing. I still have unfinished business on the track and since nothing much is happening in terms of track competition in the distance, I have chosen to stay active on the road and build on my endurance before I can get back to track training and prepare for next year competitions," Koros added. 

"The field for the next race has a strong field that includes Kipruto, Langat and Nicholas Kimeli, all Olympians and I believe they will push me to do well."