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Kenyan steeplechaser Kibiwot aims higher after breakthrough Olympic bronze
Abraham Kibiwot of Kenya celebrates after winning bronze in the men’s 3,00m Steeplechase final during the 2024 Paris Olympic Games at the Stade de France on August 7, 2024.
What you need to know:
- Father of three will use Saturday’s event to warm up for the Diamond League, Kip Keino Classic and World Championships.
Last year was nothing short of remarkable for Abraham Kibiwot, both on and off the track. The 29-year-old clinched a bronze medal for Kenya in the men’s 3,000m steeplechase final at the Paris Olympic Games—his biggest career achievement to date.
But his joy wasn’t limited to the track. Just six days before the final at the Stade de France, Kibiwot’s wife gave birth to their daughter, Angel Keyla Chemutai Biwot, their third child after two boys. The timing was so special that he even considered adding ‘Paris’ to her name as a tribute.
His third-place finish in Paris was a massive improvement from his 10th-place finish at the delayed Tokyo 2021 Olympics. The dramatic final saw Morocco’s Soufiane El Bakkali take gold in 8:06.05, while the USA’s Kenneth Rooks surprised many by claiming silver in 8:06.41.
Ethiopia’s pre-race favourite, Lamecha Girma, suffered a heartbreaking fall with 200m to go and had to be taken to the hospital.
Good calculations
After an unforgettable 2024, Kibiwot—who is also a policeman—hopes to make even bigger strides in 2025. His season kicks off this Saturday at the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Gold Tour at Lobo Village in Eldoret, Uasin Gishu County. The event will be live on NTV.
With last year’s 10km senior men’s category winner, Daniel Simiu, opting out to prepare for the Seoul Marathon on March 16, Kibiwot is among the favourites for the title.
Another notable absentee is 2023 World Cross Country junior champion Ishmael Kipkurui, who has since moved to the U.S. for further studies through the Townhall Scholarship Programme.
“We have a long season ahead, which ends in September, and that needs good calculations,” said Kibiwot. “On Saturday, I’m basically competing as part of my training program as we start the track season, which will be a long one.”
The Mosoriot-based athlete believes last season was a strong foundation and hopes to build on that momentum. After the cross-country race, he will launch his track campaign in the Diamond League, which begins on April 26 in China.
He will also aim for victory at the Kip Keino Classic World Athletics Continental Tour on May 31 at Nyayo Stadium in Nairobi.
Arsenal fan
Kibiwot described the Paris Olympics steeplechase final as the most challenging race of his career.
“Since I started my career, I have never seen a competitive race like the Olympic Games steeplechase final,” he said. “Getting into the final was also tough, and I remember crossing the line third in the heats to qualify.”
He credited his bronze medal to solid cross-country preparation and is now focused on making the Kenyan team for the 2025 World Athletics Championships.
Kibiwot acknowledged that El Bakkali has been a dominant force in steeplechase but believes the Moroccan can be beaten if Kenyan athletes strategize better.
“El Bakkali is a strong athlete, and it took him time to reach where he is. I believe a time will come when Kenyans can beat him if we combine forces and run as one team during championships,” he said. “The only secret is to train hard and stay focused. We will get there—even if I’m not the one.”
Kibiwot, who attended Nandi County’s Kosirai High School—just like 2016 Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto—urged Athletics Kenya (AK) to rethink its approach to steeplechase training to reclaim Kenya’s dominance in the event.
Away from athletics, the Arsenal FC fan enjoys watching football and playing pool as a way to relax after intense training sessions in Mosoriot, Nandi County.
Kibiwot is determined to add more accolades to his growing legacy.