Rhonex Kipruto eyes greatness at global stage

Rhonex Kipruto of Kenya reacts after crossing the finish line to win the men's 10,000m race during the IAAF Diamond League competition on May 30, 2019 in Stockholm, Sweden. [Photo by Fredrik SANDBERG / TT NEWS AGENCY / AFP]

At just 20 years old, Rhonex Kipruto makes giant strides that would ride him to the pinnacle of world distance running.

On Wednesday, World Athletics ratified his 26:24 world record in 10km, a feat he recorded at the Valencia Ibercaja in January this year.

The reigning World Under 20 10,00m champion eyes more glory at the global arena with major focus on the Olympics.

Rhonex, 20, smashed the 10km world record just over a month after Ugandan Joshua Cheptegei had ran a 10k road race in a World Record in Valencia, Spain last December, clocking 26:38 .

Kipruto dominated the race hitting the 3km mark in 7:59 before shaking off the chasing pack.

He reached the halfway point in 13:18, four seconds inside the world record time of 13:22 set by Kenya’s Robert Keter in Lille, France, on November 9, 2019.

His winning time of 26:24 took 14 seconds off the previous 10km world record of 26:38 set by Joshua Cheptegei.

“I remember when I went to the race, my target was to write my Personal Best because I had adequately prepared with my training group but as the race progressed, I felt I was in a prime form to break Cheptegei’s one-month-old record and I pushed harder to lower his time,” Kipruto said.

“It’s great news that the world record is now official. I am still working hard and I know once the global pandemic is past us, good things are in store for me,” Kipruto, who is coached by Brother Colm O’Connell in Iten said.

Kipruto had been billed to win a gold for Kenya in 10,000m at the 2020 Olympics in Tokyo, a medal the country last won in the 1968 Games in Mexico through Naftali Temu.

“I am still training individually to keep fit while still eying the Olympic Games which has been rescheduled to next year. I have the burning desire to bring good results God willing,” said Rhonex who is also spending time with his little brother Bravin Kogei who is Africa Under-20 10000m.

He is currently engaged in tree planting in his village Kimamet, Elgeyo Marakwet while training.

Meanwhile, Olympic champion Briton Mo Farah says the postponement of the Tokyo Games to 2021 could work in his favour as he will now have about 20 months to train for the defense of his 10,000m title after switching his focus from the marathon to track.

The 37-year-old retired from track in 2017 to focus on marathon.