Kiftum, Want to Run with Kipchoge at the Paris Olympics

‘World Marathon God’ Kiftum: “I Want to Run with Kipchoge at the Paris Olympics”

Kelvin Kiftum (23, Kenya), who set a new marathon world record of 2 hours, 00 minutes and 35 seconds and came within 36 seconds of humanity's dream of becoming 'sub 2' (completion of the full marathon course in less than 2 hours), made a golden comeback. 온라인카지노

Xinhua News Agency and AFP reported on the 11th (Korean time), "Kiftum received a 'heroic welcome' upon his return to Kenya," and "The Kenyan government awarded Keeftum a reward of 5 million shillings (about 45 million won)."

It was reported that

Xinhua News Agency said, "When Kelvin Kiftum arrived at the airport, officials decorated him with Sinendet leaves, which were used to decorate important guests and victorious warriors in war in his hometown of Kalenjin."

Kiftum's wife Ase said, Nas Kagogo said she gave her husband a sip of Mursik, a traditional Kenyan fermented milk, in front of her 7-year-old son Caleb and 4-year-old daughter Precious.

Kiftum ran the 42.195km full course in 2 hours, 00 minutes and 35 seconds at the 2023 Chicago Marathon held in Chicago, Illinois, USA on the 8th local time.

2 hours 00 minutes 35 seconds is a new world record, beating the previous record of 2 hours 01 minutes 09 seconds set by Eliud Kipchoge (38, Kenya) at the Berlin Marathon in September last year by 34 seconds.

Kiftum, who first attempted the full course at the Valencia Marathon on December 4, 2022.

Garnered attention by recording a time of 2 hours, 01 minutes and 53 seconds, recorded the 'second place record' of 2 hours, 01 minutes and 25 seconds at the London Marathon on April 23 this year, four months later. He emerged as Kipchoge's rival.

In less than five months, Kiftum shaved 50 seconds off his own record and even surpassed Kipchoge's previous world record.

Now, the track and field world selects Kiftum as the number one candidate for achieving ‘sub 2’, the long-awaited goal of the world marathon.

It is highly likely that the first match between Kiftum and Kipchoge will take place at the Paris Olympics on August 10 next year.

A maximum of two people from each country can participate in the Paris Olympics men's marathon.

Kiftum said, “If you select me to represent Kenya, I will be honored and participate in the Paris Olympics,” and added, “It would be even better if I was selected to represent Kenya along with Kipchoge.”

Kipchoge became the Olympic men's marathon champion for the second time in a row, in Rio de Janeiro in 2016 and Tokyo in 2021.

It is highly likely that Kipchoge's biggest enemy in his bid for a third consecutive Olympic title will be Kiptum.

Kiftum was cautious about ‘breaking the two-hour barrier.’

He said, "I have never thought about running a full marathon in under 2 hours.

I just enjoy shortening my times."

If Kiftum improves his record, he may surpass the two-hour barrier, which is considered the human limit.