Uganda may have celebrated a lot about the London Olympics after Stephen Kiprotich’s perfect seal to winning gold in the 42km marathon but individually, Benjamin Kiplagat had lots to contemplate about.
The runner, one of the 15 Ugandan athletes at the XXX Olympiad took a miserable 14th place finish of 8:47.85 in the 3000m steeplechase final at the Olympic Stadium on August 5.
“It was disappointing,” Kiplagat, who finished ninth in the water jump race final at his maiden Olympic Games in Beijing four years ago, said.
And having shaken off a worrying groin injury prior the games, the Benin Africa Senior Athletics bronze medalist had hoped to offer his country something better.
“I expected to do better, at least finish close to the podium but so many things went wrong,” the 23-year-old added.
The silver medalist at the 2008 World Junior Championships returned to eastern Kenya town Iten to prepare for last Sunday’s Samsung Diamond League race in Birmingham but called it off to rest for the season ahead.
“All my focus is on the next World Athletics Championships in Moscow and there is no room for error,” the athlete who took 10th position (8:22.21) in the 13th edition in Daegu, South Korea last year disclosed.
Most of all, Kiprotich’s gold that ended Uganda’s 16-year medal haul at the Olympics is a challenge but motivator to Kiplagat. “His victory in London inspires me. That’s why I have returned to Bukwo to get ready and I hope to replicate his endurance.”
Kiplagat will take part in a few races later this year as he seeks perfect shape for the World Cross Country Championships in the Polish city of Bydgoszcz, his first task early next year.