Benjamin Kigen of Kenya reacts after the men's 3,000 meters steeplechase at the IAAF Diamond League Golden Gala . Benjamin Kigen ranked first. / VCG Photo
Benjamin Kigen, the Military World Games steeplechase champion, hopes his performance last month in Wuhan, China will propel him to do well at the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan.
Kigen, who is also the Africa Games champion, missed out on the medals at the World Championships in Doha, Qatar, but bounced back strongly to wrest the gold in Wuhan.
Now he believes he has regained his grove and will cruise past the small matter of making the Kenya team to the Olympics. "Wuhan was a real inspiration for me. To win Kenya gold in China was a bonus, but it ignited a hunger in me that needs to be satisfied by winning at the Tokyo Olympics in 2020," Kigen said on Tuesday. "Representing Kenya in any championships, especially the Olympics is the greatest honor any athlete will want. I will be ready."
Kenya's Benjamin Kigen and Hillary Bor of the U.S. in action in Men's 3,000 meters Steeplechase Heats during the World Athletics Championships in Khalifa International Stadium, Doha, Qatar
The 26-year-old has clocked a personal best of 8:05.12 in the water and hurdle race from his show in July during the Monaco Diamond League. In Wuhan, Kigen clocked 8:24.50 to beat Algeria's Bilal Tabti (8:28.71) and Frenchman Yoann Kowal (8:29.72) in the final.
However, he is aware of the fact that he needs to run consistently and time below the eight-minute mark if he is to make an impact and challenge World and Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto at the Tokyo Olympic Games.
"I had high expectations in Doha to win Kenya any kind of medal but I was disappointed not to make the cut. I went to Doha after a good season and a medal could have been the least achievement for me in Doha," he added.
Benjamin Kigen (KEN) and Abdelkarim Ben Zahra (MAR) compete in 3,000 meters Steeplechase Men during the IAAF Diamond League Golden Gala at the Olimpico Stadium in Rome, Italy on June 6, 2019
His coach Isaac Rono, however, believes Kigen will overcome his challenges ahead of the Olympic Games Kenya team trials that will take place in Eldoret in May. "He can run faster and get better performances. It is down to mental focus because he really does well in training. He is hard-working," said Rono.
Kigen's medal in Wuhan helped add on the tally Kenya had of two gold, one silver, and two bronze medals.