'My focus is on getting to my fittest level' — athletics star Kiplimo

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For Ugandan and world athletics star Jacob Kiplimo, the past couple of months have been about hitting the reset button and working his way back up to the sort of fitness that has so often buoyed him to the top echelons of global running.

The 23-year-old was forced to sit out the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary in August and the World Road Running Championships in Riga, Latvia in October due to injury.

Behind the scenes, Kiplimo was busy panel-beating his body — and mind — back to full fitness.

How was it going? On this journey to recovery, the reigning world cross-country champion needed to know his progress.

At the end of October, he took part in the Cross Country Tour Gold meeting in Atapuerca, Spain and the Ugandan star runner went on to win the elite men race in a time of 26:00.

Exactly three weeks later, Kiplimo was back in action — this time for a 15km race at the NN Zevenheuvelenloop in the Dutch city of Nijmegen.

Again, he beat the entire field to equal compatriot Joshua Cheptegei's world record of 41:05 minutes last Sunday.

To many observers, this was yet another clear sign that Kiplimo is back after an injury-ridden conclusion to the 2023 season.

And the man himself feels he is clawing back well.

"I believe the injury God allowed to hit me a couple of months ago was to prepare me for better," said the double Commonwealth Games champion shortly after his 15km triumph.

“I am trying to reset, recondition and resharpen my body in the best way possible and I must say that the comeback plan is going on well so far.

“My focus is getting to my fittest level possible, physically and mentally, ahead of the 2024 season, which includes the Paris Olympics Games in France."

'Unstoppable'

Earlier last season, Kween district-born Kiplimo won the 2023 New York Half Marathon ahead of Cheptegei, who settled for second.

Jacob Kiplimo won the New York City Half Marathon on March 19, 2023 in New York City.

Cheptegei, a multi-world record holder and champion, was thrilled to watch his national teammate return from injury to equal his 15km record that has remained intact since 2018.

“He (Kiplimo) has shown that humans are unstoppable once they are determined to achieve any form of goals,” he said.

"Records are set to be broken or marched, so it is satisfying to see someone come close or go ahead to better it.”

In Sunday's race, it was an East African one-two-three, as Ugandan Rogers Kibet (42:44) took second place just ahead of Kenyan Amos Serem (43:07).

'Truly incredible'

The injury that ruled Kiplimo out of the World Championships was incurred during the national buildup at Trinity Biblical Institute in Uganda's eastern district of Kapchorwa.  

He tore his hamstring, which all but dented his chances of taking part in the global competition.

His country resident coach, Peter Chelangat, was full of praise and admiration for their protege's remarkable journey from injury.  

"This is testament to Jacob’s dedication and resilience," he said.

"To come back from such a serious injury and perform at this level is truly incredible. It is testament to his work ethic and the unwavering support of his Rosa Associati International Management Agency teammates and sponsors.

“I am happy for him after we got disappointed when he missed the world championships because of the setback," said Chelangat, who doubles as the field administrator for Uganda Athletics Federation.

To recover, Kiplimo said he had to immerse himself in weeks of gruelling rehabilitation, emotional ups and downs as well as hours of hard work.