Ugandan three-time Olympian Benjamin Kiplagat has been killed. Kiplagat, 34, is believed to have been murdered early Sunday morning, reported the BBC. Kiplagat, who specialised within the 3,000m steeple, was residing within the Marakwet District of Kenya, and his physique was found in his automobile simply exterior of the town of Eldorat. Eldorat is the fifth largest metropolis in Kenya and referred to as a prime coaching centre for athletes.
World Athletics is shocked and saddened to listen to of the passing of Benjamin Kiplagat. We ship our deepest condolences to his pals, household, teammates and fellow athletes. Our ideas are with all of them at this tough time. https://t.co/x74j5xRvex pic.twitter.com/XvW8k5Gwss
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) December 31, 2023
Kiplagat has a protracted historical past of excelling on the worldwide stage, and started as a ten,000-metre runner, dropping right down to the 1,500 and 5,000m upon the recommendation of his coach, and finally specializing in the three,000m steeple.
He broke onto the worldwide scene in 2006 when he was sixth within the 3,000m steeple on the World Junior Championships in Beijing, China. He was a silver medallist on the 2008 World Junior Championships in Poland, and narrowly missed the rostrum on the 2010 Commonwealth Video games in Delhi, India. Kiplagat was tenth on the 2011 World Championships in South Korea, and made the semifinals within the 2012 London Olympic Video games.
Kenyan police commandant Stephen Okal stated that officers obtained a message a couple of site visitors accident, and arrived on the scene round 5.00 am, as reported by NTV Kenya. Police discovered Kiplagat mendacity within the driver’s seat—the athlete had been stabbed within the chest and neck. Police imagine the assailants had used a bike to dam Kiplagat’s path, and his automobile had hit the motorbike earlier than the assault.
“We’re nonetheless investigating the incident to determine what actually occurred, however what we will affirm is that the person discovered lifeless is a global athlete referred to as Benjamin Kiplagat,” stated Okal.
*Unlucky creating story*
Uganda’s former 3000m steeplechase athlete Benjamin Kiplagat has died in Eldoret. Studies inside athletics circles point out he was discovered murdered in his automotive. He lived in Kimumu.
He represented Uganda in 3 Olympic video games & 6 world championships. pic.twitter.com/wQCTlUE9k4
— Katami Michelle (@MichKatami) December 31, 2023
Kiplagat had been coaching in Eldoret earlier than heading to Uganada to compete. He had Kiplagat had secured a bronze medal whereas representing Uganada on the Africa Championships in Porto Novo, Benin in 2012, and completed within the heats on the 2015 World Championships in Beijing, China, the 2016 Olympic Video games in Rio de Janeiro and the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar.
Kiplagat’s loss of life can be mourned by the worldwide athletics neighborhood, whereas investigations proceed to uncover the circumstances round his tragic loss of life.
