Kipsiro wants to spoil Kenya's Olympic partyReported by Deccan Herald on Saturday, 26 May 2012 (on May 26, 2012)
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*Moses Kipsiro has happy memories of India. It was in this country that the Ugandan produced two of his most memorable track performances, winning the gold medal in the 5000 and 10000 metres at the Commonwealth Games, stunning his Kenyan rivals at the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium in New Delhi.
*Even as buckets of sweat poured down from his face, Kipsiro flashed a radiant smile and the spark in his eyes reflected the joy of a job well done. Beating the Kenyans in their own races was sweet indeed.
Two years down the line, Kipsiro holds those wins close to his heart, not just because he became the first man to do such a double in Commonwealth Games history, but for the fact that he scored a point or two over the Kenyans.
"It felt really great, I enjoyed it a lot. It was a fantastic moment for me," said Kipsiro, whose mind now is set on the future -- the big one lurking round the corner.
"Yes, the Olympic Games is my target this year," affirmed Kipsiro on Saturday, on the eve of the TCS World 10K, where he is one of the leading contenders for the top spot. "I do believe that the 10K here is the race that will prepare me for the Olympic Games, especially the 10000M. I am working hard and also praying to god to help me win a medal in the Olympics -- that is what I am after."
Kipsiro had a rough time after his Commonwealth Games triumph, with celebrations and injuries affecting his preparations. But the Ugandan found a way out, shifting his training base to the Kenyan hot spot of Eldoret, and working his way back to shape, perhaps to beat the Kenyans again at their own game!
"We don't have good facilities back home and more over, being far from home, I can concentrate better on my training," said the Ugandan, who was a bronze medallist in 5000M at the World Championships and finished fourth in the same race at the Beijing Olympic Games. Training in Eldoret, Kipsiro has struck a friendly relationship with the Indian athletes who were training there, Preeja Sreedharan, Kavita Raut, Sudha Singh and O P Jaisha.
"I keep meeting them, sometimes we do our warm-ups together. I encourage them to work hard and do well," said Kipsiro, who is a familiar face at the World 10K, having finished second twice, in 2008 and 2010, in Bangalore.
Still only 26, Kipsiro has a long career ahead on track but he also has plans to tackle longer distances on the road, including the full marathon. "I will assess my future after the Olympic Games. Full marathon is definitely on my radar, but I will decide after London."
Training in Kenya and having a grasp of their language, Kipsiro is a threat to the Kenyans in more ways than one. "When I was running in Delhi, I could understand what the Kenyans were talking, as well as the tactics they were planning. I planned my charge accordingly," said Kipsiro with a twinkle in his eye. Kenyans, most certainly, will keep a close watch on him in the future.
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