Sande Bashaija
18 September 2008
Isaac Kiprop is one athlete that has failed to exploit his cosmic potential. Tipped to be one of Uganda's greatest ever long distance runners of all-time a few years back, Kiprop is now living in the shadow of his compatriot Moses Kipsiro. His demise has been primarily due to off-track problems.
But following his marvelous victory at the National Half Marathon Championships in Sironko over the weekend, Kiprop hopes to rejuvenate his career after a one-year sabbatical that saw him undergo security training with the Uganda Wildlife Authority (UWA).
"I am back on form. All my opponents should be worried. I knew nobody would beat me in Sironko and I am determined to maintain the form," Kiprop (below) told Daily Monitor on phone. His performance earned him an automatic place on the team set to represent Uganda at the World Half Marathon Championships due October 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.
Though he was national champion last year, Kiprop led the Ugandan team to the world event in Udine, Italy but finished a distant 43rd in the race won by Eritrean Zersenay Tadese.
Instead, Nicholas Kiprono was Uganda's best performer, finishing 17th. But Kiprop is now determined to underline his pedigree as a big stage competitor. "I will use my past experiences to perform better. I have seen it all and nothing will deter me," he added.
Despite missing out on the Sironko event, Martin Toroitich is likely to get a place on the team after winning silver in the World Mountain Running on Sunday.
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