WU20 Athletics Championships: Kiprotich eyes podium finish in Colombia

Teenage sprinter Elikanah Kiprotich has set his sights on reaching the World Athletics Under-20 400m final when he takes on the world's best at this year's event set for Cali, Colombia. 

The event will be held from 2 to 7 August and Athletics Kenya (AK) has set the trials for 8 and 9 July. 

Fresh from a month-long boot camp in France, Kiprotich says the training and experience gained could not have come at a better time as he looks to conquer the world in Cali. 

Bubbly sprinters jet back after specialized training in France

A world under-20 4x400m bronze medalist, the 18-year old is keen to clinch an individual medal on the same stage and use that as a springboard to a better senior ranks career in 400m.

"I had an amazing time in France. I got to train for a month, uninterrupted, and I feel that I have improved immensely. We had a coach for each of the techniques whether it is how to get off the blocks, how to tackle the last 50m of the race, a different coach for various drills. This has changed my view on preparations for races and I feel ready for the next phase," said an elated Kiprotich. 

The former Mogonga high student was part of a contigent of 11 sprinters and field athletes who underwent the training in France. 

"We held two training sessions in a day. The first began at 10am and after two hours we would head back to the hotel for a lunch break before an evening session that began at 3.30 pm. We also had sessions for long runs. 

I was in awe of the efficiency with which everything was done. The stadium was always ready. We had all the equipment, some I had never seen, that made training more efficient," narrated the Ngong-based athlete. 

Kiprotich will continue his preparations under sprints coach Vincent Mumo as he looks to continue with the training regiment he had adopted while in France. 

"My tactics have improved tremendously. I was able to win the two races we competed in while in France. I clocked a 46.16 Personal Best in the first ans managed 46.70 in the second under very cold weather so I feel like I can do better in better conditions. 

I kept in touch with my coach here, filling him in on everything we were doing so it will be no problem to continue the same. I did not make the final last year in the World Under-20 Championship and my target is to break that barrier and get to the final in Cali then fight for a podium place," said the ambitious Kiprotich. 

Kenya will also be looking to do one better in the relay with Kiprotich and Peter Kithome who was also part of the France contigent leading the team. 

However, with Joshua Wanyonyi and Kennedy Kimeu having crossed over to the senior ranks, the duo has to get two new partners for the relay. 

"We are not short of talented sprinters in the country and I am confident we will get another formidable pair for the task ahead," Kiprotich offered. 

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