Timothy Cheruiyot's coach banking on him to medal at World Championships

ATHLETICS Timothy Cheruiyot's coach banking on him to medal at World Championships

Abigael Wafula 11:59 - 01.07.2023

Ouma is certain that the 2019 world 1,500m champion will display a good show and even possibly reclaim his title.

Timothy Cheruiyot’s coach Bernard Ouma believes the 1,500m athlete will medal at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary from August 19 to 27.

Ouma is certain that Cheruiyot, the 2019 world 1,500m champion, will display a good show and even possibly reclaim his title. The 27-year-old has been battling a series of injuries but he is now back on track and training effectively in preparation for the global event. 

The tactician revealed that he is progressing well and he is very steady at the moment. Cheruiyot opened his season with a fifth-place finish at the Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar before completing the podium at the Kip Keino Classic in the 800m.

He then went for the USTAF Los Angeles Grand Prix where he won the 1,500m and later finished fourth at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo, Norway. His recent race was at the National Championships where he finished third.

“Cheruiyot is coming from some injuries, which he’s getting out of the way and the progression is going perfectly well. We’re going to see him peak at the World Championships, where I’m sure he’s going to medal and he needs his gold medal back," said Ouma, as quoted by Citius Mag.

"Let’s see those who are at the optimal state right now. There are those who are at 70-85 percent like Cheruiyot. Let’s see by the World Championships who will carry the day. It will be a very tough race for everyone. It’s not a walk in the park for anybody.” 

Ouma added that the Diamond League meetings are to be used as pointers to see the things they need to rectify. He added that the field at the Diamond League meeting in Oslo was a strong one and it is likely to be the same as the World Championships.

“The Diamond League is something else…we went to Oslo to do a benchmark and see where we are. It was a deep field. We used it to see what areas we need to accomplish in training," Ouma added. 

"What do we need to add? What are we reducing? Those are the dynamics of coaching. It’s ensuring the athletes are picking things up when they’re needed to deliver.”