Kiprop Targets Seniors
Mar 03, 2004
AFTER shining as a junior, Boniface Kiprop is contemplating a move to the lucrative senior category of the World Cross-country.
By James Bakama
AFTER shining as a junior, Boniface Kiprop is contemplating a move to the lucrative senior category of the World Cross-country.
Kiprop, who is gold medal material in the juniors’ eight kilometer competition, revealed on Saturday that he is seriously eyeing the seniors category.
“I am worth a gold in the juniors, but the senior men’s cash prizes are too tempting,†said Kiprop before being crowned 2003 Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) personality of the year on Saturday.
The Standard High School student said he will decide on whether his move to the seniors will be in the 12km or 4km events.
Much as he is a junior, Kiprop, 19, is Uganda’s most successful cross-country runner. He has won a silver and three bronze medals at the prestigious world meets.
Kiprop’s feelings are understandable. Winners in the men’s 12km, women’s 8km and both the 4km races will pocket $30,000 (sh58.2m), runners-up- $15,000, third-$10,000, fourth-$7,000, fifth-$5000 and sixth $3000.
The winning team for any of the senior races will get $20,000 (sh38.8m), the second finisher will earn $16,000, third- $12,000, fourth- $10,000, fifth-$8,000 and sixth- $4,000.
While the seniors get cash, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) only rewards juniors with medals.
Kiprop, has for the past three weeks, been making the best of a high altitude training in Mt. Elgon in preparation for March 20-21 world cross-country in Belgium.
Kiprop made his maiden world cross-country appearance in Vilamoura, Portugal in 2000. He finished 27th.
He was back in 2002 in Dublin where he finished third. He moved a step further with a silver last year.
Ends
AFTER shining as a junior, Boniface Kiprop is contemplating a move to the lucrative senior category of the World Cross-country.
Kiprop, who is gold medal material in the juniors’ eight kilometer competition, revealed on Saturday that he is seriously eyeing the seniors category.
“I am worth a gold in the juniors, but the senior men’s cash prizes are too tempting,†said Kiprop before being crowned 2003 Uganda Sports Press Association (USPA) personality of the year on Saturday.
The Standard High School student said he will decide on whether his move to the seniors will be in the 12km or 4km events.
Much as he is a junior, Kiprop, 19, is Uganda’s most successful cross-country runner. He has won a silver and three bronze medals at the prestigious world meets.
Kiprop’s feelings are understandable. Winners in the men’s 12km, women’s 8km and both the 4km races will pocket $30,000 (sh58.2m), runners-up- $15,000, third-$10,000, fourth-$7,000, fifth-$5000 and sixth $3000.
The winning team for any of the senior races will get $20,000 (sh38.8m), the second finisher will earn $16,000, third- $12,000, fourth- $10,000, fifth-$8,000 and sixth- $4,000.
While the seniors get cash, the International Association of Athletics Federations (IAAF) only rewards juniors with medals.
Kiprop, has for the past three weeks, been making the best of a high altitude training in Mt. Elgon in preparation for March 20-21 world cross-country in Belgium.
Kiprop made his maiden world cross-country appearance in Vilamoura, Portugal in 2000. He finished 27th.
He was back in 2002 in Dublin where he finished third. He moved a step further with a silver last year.
Ends