Kenya’s Benson Kipruto has set his sights on the Paris Olympics after smashing the Tokyo Marathon course record with a gold-medal winning time of 2:02:16 on Sunday, saying “I’m ready”.
Kenya has yet to finalize its three-man marathon team for Paris 2024. But after this performance, Kipruto has signaled his desire to be selected through his preparation and record-shattering result.
“I think I’m ready for Paris,” the 32-year-old Kipruto said. “I would be happy to represent my country in Paris. But that relies on my country for selection. I’m still waiting on that but I’m ready.”
Kipruto broke Eliud Kipchoge’s previous Tokyo record of 2:02:40 set in 2021. His finishing time makes him the fifth-fastest marathoner ever in a World Athletics certified event.
The victory adds to Kipruto’s previous marathon wins in Boston 2021 and Chicago 2022. His Tokyo effort was nearly two minutes faster than his personal best.
His desire comes at time a time he beat the greatest runner in history Kipchoge, who won the Olympic marathons in Rio and Tokyo.
At age 39, Kipchoge struggled to 10th in 2:06:50 after falling off the pace before halfway. He could not contend with the younger Kipruto, who appears poised to take over as Kenya’s dominant marathon man headed to the next Olympics.
With gold medals now from three major marathons, Kipruto has emerged as the world’s top marathoner if there was any doubt.
