Simon Koech

Simon Kiprop Koech
Personal information
National teamKenyan
Born (2003-06-10) June 10, 2003 (age 21)
Buret District, Kericho County, Kenya
Sport
CountryKenya
SportAthletics
Event3000 metres steeplechase
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)3000 m Steeplechase: 8:04.19 (Monaco, 2023)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Diamond League
First place 2023 3000 m st.
African Games
Bronze medal – third place 2023 Accra 3000 m st.
World U20 Championships
Bronze medal – third place 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]

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.