Ben Jipcho
 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Born |
1 March 1943 (age 73) Mount Elgon District, Western Province, Kenya |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 71 kg (157 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
| Event(s) | 1500-5000 m |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal best(s) |
1500 m – 3:33.16 (1974) 5000 m – 13:14.3 (1974) 3000 mS – 8:13.91 (1973) |
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Benjamin Wabura "Ben" Jipcho (born 1 March 1943) is a former athlete from Kenya, who won the silver medal in the 3000 meters steeplechase at the 1972 Summer Olympics, behind his teammate Kipchoge Keino.[1]
Jipcho won the 5000 metres race in the 1973 All-Africa Games. He also won the gold medal in the 5000 m and 3000 m steeplechase, and the bronze medal in the 1500 meters at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
Jipcho may be as well known for his role in Keino's victory over Jim Ryun in the high altitude 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City as for his own athletic accomplishments. Sacrificing his own chances for a medal to team tactics, he pulled Keino through a 56-second first 400 meters, before being passed by his teammate with 800 meters to go and drifting back into the pack. By that point, Keino had established a lead of 20 meters or more, which Ryun's famous finishing speed could not erase.[2] Jipcho later apologized to Ryun for acting as Keino's rabbit.
He was later quoted:
- "Running for money doesn't make you run fast. It makes you run first."[3]
His granddaughter Esther Chemutai is also a runner,[4] while he is a distant uncle to the siblings Linet Masai and Moses Masai.[5]
References
- ↑ "Ben Jipcho". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC.
- ↑ Chan, Andy (July 27, 2010) Team Tactics at Championship Races. Pamakidscoach.wordpress.com
- ↑ Oliver, Brian (2014). The Commonwealth Games: Extraordinary Stories Behind the Medals. A&C Black. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4729-0732-5.
- ↑ The Standard, 4 August 2009: Jipcho’s granddaughter wipes tears
- ↑ The Standard, 20 August 2009: Mt Elgon celebrates Masai’s triumph
External links
- Ben Jipcho profile at IAAF
| Records | ||
|---|---|---|
Preceded by Anders Gärderud |
Men's 3000 m steeplechase world record holder 15 January 1973 – 25 June 1975 |
Succeeded by Anders Gärderud |
| Awards | ||
Preceded by Lasse Virén |
Track & Field Athlete of the Year 1973 |
Succeeded by Rick Wohlhuter |
| Sporting positions | ||
Preceded by.svg.png){kind=small} Emiel Puttemans |
Men's 5000 m best year performance 1974 |
Succeeded by Emiel Puttemans |
| Preceded by Anders Gärderud |
Men's 3000 m steeplechase best year performance 1973 |
Succeeded by Anders Gärderud |