Shock as another athlete collapses and dies in Eldoret while on scholarship trial
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Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 27.09.24. | 13:31
The athlete's sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the athletics community, adding to the growing list of young Kenyan athletes whose careers have been tragically cut short
A budding athlete tragically collapsed and died after participating in a scholarship trial at Kipchoge Stadium in Uasin Gishu County on Friday 27 September.
The 20-year-old, identified as Joseph Hussein Njagi, had just completed a 3000-meter race when he collapsed at the finish line, according to a police report seen by Citizen Digital.
Athletics officials on-site immediately rushed Njagi to Uasin Gishu District Hospital in a bid to save his life, but he was pronounced dead upon arrival.
Following the incident, officials notified officers from Eldoret Police Station, who quickly responded and arrived at the hospital.
Njagi’s body was later transferred to the Moi Teaching and Referral Hospital morgue, where a post-mortem examination will be conducted to establish the cause of death.
His sudden demise has sent shockwaves through the athletics community, adding to the growing list of young Kenyan athletes whose careers have been tragically cut short.
The death echoes a similar incident from mid-September 2024, when another promising Kenyan athlete, Willy Chelewa, collapsed and died just days after securing a Chinese sponsorship for international competitions.
Reports indicated that Chelewa collapsed moments after drinking a cup of black tea.
The tragic loss of Njagi has once again highlighted the need for increased medical screening and support for young athletes participating in high-intensity competitions.
Earlier this year, the athletics fraternity was brought into mourning following the death of Ugandan athlete Benjamin Kiplagat. His body was found in a car near Kimumu Secondary School along the Eldoret-Iten road. The 34-year-old steeplechase runner was stabbed in his brother's car.
Kiplagat specialized in the 3000-meter steeplechase. He represented Uganda in six World Athletics Championships and at the 2008, 2012 and 2016 Summer Olympics. The Kenyan-born reached the semi-finals of the 2012 London Olympics.
Weeks later, residents of Iten were mourning the sudden death of a renowned marathoner Hosea Kiplagat. The marathoner who was based in Peru became sick out of the blues, causing him to collapse and eventually die while on his way home.
Kiplagat was in the company of his four-year-old son at the time of the tragic incident. The 32-year-old had just landed in the country from Peru where he had been competing.
On Sunday 25 February, another athlete Charles Kipkorir Kipsang collapsed and died after crossing the finish line at the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope. Media reports said he was taken to Buea Regional Hospital but staff there were not able to revive him.
On Thursday 5 September, Uganda lost yet another athlete; Rebecca Cheptegei who was set ablaze by her former boyfriend.
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