Simon Kiprop Koech (born 10 June 2003) is a Kenyan track and field athlete. In 2023, he became the Kenyan national champion in the 3000m Steeplechase.[1]
Personal information | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
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National team | Kenyan | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Born | Buret District, Kericho County, Kenya | June 10, 2003||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Country | Kenya | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Sport | Athletics | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Event | 3000 metres steeplechase | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Achievements and titles | |||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Personal best(s) | 3000 m Steeplechase: 8:04.19 (Monaco, 2023) | ||||||||||||||||||||||||||
Medal record
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Career
editKoech won a bronze medal at the 2021 World Athletics U20 Championships in the 3000m Steeplechase behind compatriot Amos Serem who won gold.[2] In May 2023, he surprised five-time champion Benjamin Kigen to win the Kenyan Defence Forces Championship in the 3000m Steeplechase.[3]
In July 2023, Koech won the 3000m Steeplechase at the Kenyan national trials, running 8:22.55 aged just 20 years-old, to finish ahead of Abraham Kibiwott and Leonard Bett.[4]
On 21 July 2023, he made his debut in the Diamond League event in Monaco. He won the 3000m Steeplechase in a time of 8:04.19, a new personal best time.[5][6] The time also met the qualification standard for the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.[7]
He competed in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest in August 2023 and qualified for the final, in which he finished seventh.[8]
In March 2024, he won bronze in the 3000m steeplechase at the African Games.[9]
In June 2024, he was named in the Kenyan team for the 2024 Paris Olympics.[10]
References
edit- ^ "Simon Koech". World Athletics. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Koech, Serem lead Kenya's medal hunt in steeplechase". Standardmedia.co.ke. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Teenager Koech shocks Kigen at the KDF championships". TheStar.co.ke. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Beatrice Chepkoech, Simon Koech to lead Kenyan steeplechase teams". Nation.Africa. July 8, 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Monaco 21 July 2023". Watchathletics.com. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Silky Smooth Koech Earns Steeplechase World Championship Qualifying Time in Monaco". Capitalfm.co.ke. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Simon Koech now ready to dine with the big boys after Monaco success". Pulse Sports. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
- ^ "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Results: World Athletics Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
- ^ Onyatta, Omondi (18 March 2024). "ATHLETICS Ethiopian Firewu Holds Off Kenyan Challenge To Win 3000m Steeplechase At African Games". Capitalfm.co.ke. Retrieved 18 March 2024.
- ^ Okeyo, Dennis (June 16, 2024). "Faith leads chase for glory as Olympics squad is unveiled". tnx.africa. Retrieved 16 June 2024.