Biography of stephen kiprotich moscow
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Akii-Bua, the legendary hurdler, held a unique and revered place in Ugandan sports history as the nation's only previous Olympic gold medalist.
He is not just a runner; he is an inspiration, demonstrating that with dedication, anything is possible, regardless of one's starting point. This hiatus, far from being a setback, underscores his foresight and commitment to building a well-rounded future, a choice that would ultimately make his return to running even more impactful.
A Glimmer of Inspiration: John Akii-Bua's Legacy
Every aspiring athlete needs a hero, a beacon of what is possible.
With a time of 2:07:50, he finished third in the 2012 Tokyo Marathon.
Kiprotich was inspired in part by John Akii-Bua, Uganda’s only previous Olympic gold medalist, who won the 400m hurdles in Munich, Germany in 1972, setting a new world record in the process.
He then went on to win the London 2012 Olympic Marathon, finishing ahead of Kenyan runners Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich, who came in second and third place, respectively.
Kiprotich ran the New York City Marathon the following year, finishing in 2:13:25.
Kiprotich trains in Kapchorwa, Uganda, as a member of the NN Running Team.
Early life and Education
Stephen Kiprotich was born on February 27, 1989, in Cheptiyal village, Kapchorwa, in the Eastern region of Uganda to the late Mzee Kiboi Kiptui (father) and Cheptum Kokop (mother).
Kiprotich is the second youngest of seven children.
Who is Stephen Kiprotich? Flash Uganda Media looks at his biography, age, wife, family, tribe, relationship with Patricia Cherop, Mzee Kiboi Kiptui (father) and Cheptum Kokop (mother), Nile Special-USPA Sports Personality of the Year in 2012, IAAF Moscow 2013 Marathon, early life and education of the long-distance runner from Uganda.
Stephen Kiprotich is a long-distance runner from Uganda.
He is the Assistant Superintendent of Prison at Luzira.
He then finished second in both the Hamburg and Fukuoka marathons, clocking 2:07:31 and 2:07:10, respectively.
The following year, he ran the Hamburg Marathon and the Toronto Waterfront Marathon, finishing fifth and seventh, respectively.
Kiprotich finished third in the Hamburg Marathon in 2:08:31 in 2019 and represented Uganda in the men’s marathon at the 2019 World Athletics Championships in Doha, Qatar.
He competed alongside teammates Fred Musobo and Felix Chemonges in August 2021.
Achievements and Awards
Stephen Kiprotich was named the Nile Special-USPA Sports Personality of the Year in 2012, the Ugandan sports award.
In 2013, he won the gold medal at the IAAF Moscow 2013 Marathon in 2:09:51.
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Stephen Kiprotich: Uganda's Marathon Gold Medalist & Olympic Hero
- Full Name
- Stephen Kiprotich
- Birthdate
- February 27, 1989
- Birthplace
- Kapchorwa, Uganda
- Zodiac
- Pisces
- Occupation
- Runner
- Age
- 36 Years Old
In the annals of long-distance running, few names shine as brightly as Stephen Kiprotich.
His journey from the scenic yet challenging landscapes of Kapchorwa, Uganda, to the Olympic podium in London and the World Championships in Moscow is a testament to unwavering dedication, exceptional talent, and the indomitable spirit of a true champion.
The Early Life and Roots of a Runner
Born on February 27, 1989, in the mountainous region of Kapchorwa, Uganda, Stephen Kiprotich entered a world where hard work and resilience were daily necessities.
He was the first Ugandan to cross the finish line, finishing ahead of Geoffrey Kusuro and Ugandan national record holder Felix Chemonges.
Stephen Kiprotich has been chosen to represent Uganda in the men’s marathon at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Then, at the age of 17, he quit school and moved to the Eldoret region of Kenya, in the Rift Valley, to train for the marathon with Eliud Kipchoge.
As the youngest of seven children, his early life was shaped by the rhythms of subsistence farming, a demanding lifestyle that undoubtedly instilled in him the endurance and mental fortitude that would later define his athletic career. This victory was not just a personal achievement but a moment of immense national pride, bringing joy and recognition to his home country.
In February 2015, he set a new marathon personal best of 2:06:33 by finishing second at the Tokyo Marathon.
Kiprotich appeared in Jayant Maru’s Ugandan-produced film SIPI the movie in 2015.
Stephen Kiprotich competed in his second Olympic marathon at the 2016 Rio de Janeiro Olympic Games, finishing 14th in 2:13:32 in a race won by Kenya’s Eliud Kipchoge.
He competed in the 2017 World Cross Country Championships in Kampala, Uganda.
Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich won in 2:10.59. He is married to Patricia Cherop and the couple have two children, Eliud Musao and Esther Chebet.
He went to Kaminy Primary School and later joined Kapchorwa Secondary School for his senior one and Sebei College for his senior two, where he completed his O’level and later returned to the same school for his senior five.
He missed three years of elementary school as a child due to an undiagnosed illness.
In a pivotal period between 2004 and 2006, Kiprotich made the mature decision to temporarily step away from sports to prioritize his education. He then went on to win the London 2012 Olympic Marathon, ahead of Kenyan runners Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang Kiprotich who finished second and third respectively.
In 2012, Kiprotich won the Nile Special-Uspa Sports Personality of the Year award, the Ugandan sports award.
In 2013, Kiprotich won the IAAF Moscow 2013 Marathon in 2:09:51 to grab the Gold Medal.
In 2014, Kiprotich took part and completed the New York City Marathon in 2:13:25.
This highlights the diverse talent pool emanating from the East African nation. In 2008 Stephen placed fifth over 10,000m at the World U20 Championships and also finished 12th in his third and final appearance in the U20 race at the World Cross Country Championships.
Moving into the senior ranks, the affable Ugandan finished 23rd at the 2009 World Cross Country Championship and sixth in the 10,000m at the 2010 African Championships, but it was only after switching to the road in 2011 that he made his break through into world-class.
On his marathon debut Stephen set a national record of 2:07:20 to win in Enschede before later that year finishing eighth over 42.2km at the Daegu World Championships.
Stephen emerged as an international road running star in 2012 when, after finishing third in the Tokyo Marathon, he became the first Ugandan for 40 years to win Olympic gold, kicking clear of Kenyan duo Abel Kirui and Wilson Kipsang at 38km to secure an unforgettable victory in 2:08:01 at the London Games.
Stephen Kiprotich
He is the youngest of seven children of subsistence farmers from Kapchorwa District, near the Uganda-Kenya border.
His triumph at the 1972 Munich Olympics served as a powerful source of inspiration for Kiprotich, demonstrating that a Ugandan athlete could indeed stand atop the Olympic podium. As a child, he missed three years of elementary school due to an undiagnosed illness. In a race won by Ethiopia’s Lelisa Desisa, Stephen finished 18th in 2:15:04.
Kiprotich’s next marathon was in April 2021, when he finished fifth in 2:09:04 at the NN Mission Marathon in Enschede, Netherlands.
He became a national hero, solidifying his status as Uganda's premier marathon runner.
Moscow 2013: Proving His Mettle Once Again
Following his Olympic glory, the pressure on Stephen Kiprotich was immense.