Simon Koech

Last updated
Simon Kiprop Koech
Personal information
National teamKenyan
Born (2003-06-10) June 10, 2003 (age 21)
Buret District, Kericho County, Kenya
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
Men's athletics
Representing Flag of Kenya.svg Kenya
Diamond League
Gold medal icon.svg 2023 3000 m st.
African Games
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2023 Accra 3000 m st.
World U20 Championships
Bronze medal icon (B initial).svg 2021 Nairobi 3000 m st.

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]

Career

Koech 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]

He competed at the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris in the 3000 metres steeplechase, placing seventh in the final. [10] [11]

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References

  1. "Simon Koech". World Athletics. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  2. "Koech, Serem lead Kenya's medal hunt in steeplechase". Standardmedia.co.ke. 22 August 2021. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  3. "Teenager Koech shocks Kigen at the KDF championships". TheStar.co.ke. 27 May 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  4. "Beatrice Chepkoech, Simon Koech to lead Kenyan steeplechase teams". Nation.Africa. July 8, 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  5. "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Monaco 21 July 2023". Watchathletics.com. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  6. "Silky Smooth Koech Earns Steeplechase World Championship Qualifying Time in Monaco". Capitalfm.co.ke. 21 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  7. "Simon Koech now ready to dine with the big boys after Monaco success". Pulse Sports. 22 July 2023. Retrieved 22 July 2023.
  8. "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Results: World Athletics Championships 2023". Watch Athletics. 22 August 2023. Retrieved 22 August 2023.
  9. 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.
  10. "Men's 3000m Steeplechase Results - Paris Olympic Games 2024 Athletics". Watch Athletics. 7 August 2024. Retrieved 30 August 2024.
  11. Okeyo, Dennis (June 16, 2024). "Faith leads chase for glory as Olympics squad is unveiled". tnx.africa. Retrieved 16 June 2024.