The late Kelvin Kiptum: Why he was world's top creme
By Martin Kurgat.
Ever since the tragic death of Kelvin Kiptum on February 11th 2024 through road accident, shocking news, affected the entire world especially the sporting fraternity.
Kiptum at 24 had already conquered the world from London to Chicago, Boston to Tokyo and more so, he was to be the heir apparent to the marathoner throne.
Potentially, he had set himself the best by running a record breaking time, an amateur who was yet to become a professional as planned to beat the world of marathoners by running under two hours from his previous 2:00:35.
According to Novestus Kirwa his pacemaker, Kelvin had great plans to pace him to Rotterdam on April 14,but unfortunately, death has placed their plans in smoke.
Reportedly, all 50,000 plus athletes competing at the Amsterdam Marathon will wear a special ribbon in honour of Kelvin Kiptum.
Moreover , foundation will be launched in honor of the fallen hero –the world marathon record holder who died with his Rwandese coach Gervais Hakizimana.
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To launch the Kelvin kiptum Foundation Is the CEO and manager of Brussels-based sports management company GOLAZO, Bob Verbeeck from Belgium .
Such a gesture, however, is a clear indication that Kiptum had everybody’s attention and that is why his sudden death deserves a special commemoration.
His special manager Marc Corstjens of Golazo said that Kiptum was talented and was going to make history. All these foreigners around kiptum is a clear show that indeed not the son of Cheruiyot and Chepkorio area in Elgeyo Marakwet county,but a special son of the world.
The “orphan” that kiptum face uncertain future-training mates in Chepkorio making the place a new world famous training zone.
The late Kelvin Kiptum holding a Kenyan flag. Photo Courtesy.
Infact,Golazo CEO had praised him that his kindness was witnessed when he had promised to pay fees for the children in the neighborhood and do them shopping.
No wonder, world former record holders and legend from Ethiopia Haile Gelbraselaisie and Kenenisa Bekele eulogized kiptum saying that the world had lost one of the best talents in marathon sport-unmatched and cherished and cannot be forgotten in Africa and globally as an athletic star!
To conclude, however, Kenya and the world was robbed by his early departure.
The Belgian had said Kiptum’s talent was something that will never be seen soon because he had taken the sport to another level, adding that he has never seen such an athlete for many years he has been in athletics.
However, even if his glory has been squashed in gory, his colorful legacy will continue to shape the athletics world and inspire athletes in the present and the future –he ran and marathon made him one of the biggest stars in the globe, and that for his unconventional running style characterized by accelerating speed.
Mr.Martin Kurgat is a lecturer at the School of Information Sciences Moi university-Eldoret email him: kurgatmartin1@gmail.com
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