Asbel Kiprop dashed dramatically onto the world running scene in 2007, first taking the World Junior Cross Country title in Mombasa in March and then the senior crown over 1500m on the track at the All Africa Games in Algiers in July.

“I have run a good number of races this year and though they were not as rewarding as Mombasa (World Cross Country Championships), I am still delighted by my performance. I am still learning the ropes”, confirms the prodigiously talented 18-year-old.

Despite his inexperience, Kiprop’s ambition is unbounded and who would argue that after finishing fourth at the World Championships in Osaka, in his current personal best of 3:35.24, that his ambition isn’t fully justified.

“I am just 9.24 seconds away from the World record in 1500 metres,” Kiprop simply calculates, “And although only Bernard Lagat who has come close to the record (El Guerrouj’s 3:26.00) in six years, I believe the time is now ripe for another attempt on the World record.”

Kiprop, who was born on 30 June 1989 in Uasin Gishu, Eldoret, Kenya, the second of a family of three boys, has already decided to concentrate on the track middle distances saying he is, “inspired even further by the prospects of switching to a discipline that is tough but wide open to possibilities.”

Beijing gold medal quest

Kiprop, who trains at the IAAF High Performance Training Centre (HPTC), Eldoret, under the support of an Olympic Solidarity scholarship is willing to make every sacrifice towards running at the biggest global event next year in Beijing.
 
“Just like any other athlete, my focus is now on the Beijing Olympics medal bracket. But I am not going for anything less than a gold medal.”

But the junior runner firstly needs to make the Kenyan team and will face an uphill task with senior figures like Alex Kipchirchir, Augustine Choge, Daniel Kipchirchir Komen, Suleiman Simotwo, Elkana Angweny, Shadrack Kosgei, bidding for the three team slots at 1500m.

The options for 800m are not much better either with World champion Alfred Kirwa, and World Indoor champion Wilfred Bungei heading a host of great Kenyan talents at the two lap distance.

But Kiprop is not deterred - “I am ready to make structural adjustments to my calendar next year to avoid early season fatigue and burnout. I will skip some races to prepare for Beijing.”

“I will only leave the (HPTC) camp with an Olympic gold medal in my hand. That’s final,” declares Kiprop confidently.

Kiprop who wants to become a police constable, is confident that he has only shown the world a glimpse of his full athletic potential. “For now I can reveal much. But I have in store a number of surprises that I intend to unleash at the earliest opportunity next year. You will all have to wait and see.”

No defence of World XC title

Considering Kiprop’s phenomenal development this year it is a warning that the world’s best would possibly be wise to heed. Yet whatever he means by ‘surprises’ in 2008, Kiprop has already confirmed that he does not intend to defend his World Junior XC title at the 36th edition of the IAAF World Cross Country Championships in Edinburgh, Scotland on 30 March 2008.

“After my successful debut in Mombasa, I have since graduated into a senior athlete. This is why am leaving the room for others (juniors) to explore. I will now switch (from cross country to the track) 1500m and 800m”.

Saddique Shaban - KTN TV- KENYA - for the IAAF