Bett ready for relays: Kipyegon hopes passion will lead him to glory in World Relays in The Bahamas

 

Kipyegon Bett wins men's 800m race during the world relays trials at Kasarani Stadium , 2017.[PHOTO:DENNIS OKEYO/STANDARD]

When Kenya's 30-member squad reported for residential training camp at Kasarani Stadium on Wednesday, one young athlete stood out.

Kipyegon Bett, 19, banks on his impressive results at the junior cadre in 800m as he gets ready for the IAAF World Relays in Nassau, The Bahamas, from April 22-23.

Born in Kericho County, the region that is home to Kenya's first Olympic medallist Wilson Kiprugut Chumo, the 1968 Mexico Olympics 800m silver medallist, Bett's bulging athletics talent sprouted while he was a schoolboy at the athletics-renowned Kiptere Primary school.

He was spotted by coach Japhet Kemei, who runs Sigowet Athletics Club in Kericho, which brings together junior athletes from the South Rift region.

Bett is the younger brother of Purity Cherotich, the reigning 3,000m steeplechase Commonwealth Games champion, who inspired him into running after she won the IAAF World Junior 3,000m steeplechase title in Moncton, Canada, in 2010.

He trains together with Ferguson Rotich, the 2016 IAAF Diamond League Trophy winner, another member of the Bahamas-bound squad.

He now has lofty dreams: to step out of his senior rivals shadows and build his own athletics Curriculum Vitae.

Bett has the Africa Youth Championship title and IAAF World Youth silver medal in the two-lap race under his belt.

"I'm delighted to have made it to the team. My plans are to maintain my good shape through training. The senior level is more competitive, but my passion will drive me to my dreams," said Bett, who defeated his track rival Willy Tarbei in last year's IAAF World Junior championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland.

Already, Bett has lined up against World record holder David Rudisha at the Berlin World Challenge meeting last year where he posted his personal best of 1:43:76.

"I'm happy to have competed against him (Rudisha) last year in Berlin. Although he defeated me, I managed to post better times and set my current PB of 1:43:76. This is something I am really proud of."

Bett will anchor Team Kenya in men's 4x800m relay alongside 2016 Diamond league trophy winner Ferguson Rotich, former World junior 800m champion Alfred Kipketer, Cornelius Tuwei and Timothy Kitum.