Ben Jipcho

Ben Jipcho
Personal information
Born 1 March 1943 (1943-03) (age 72)
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)

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

  1. "Ben Jipcho". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC.
  2. Chan, Andy (July 27, 2010) Team Tactics at Championship Races. Pamakidscoach.wordpress.com
  3. Oliver, Brian (2014). The Commonwealth Games: Extraordinary Stories Behind the Medals. A&C Black. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4729-0732-5.
  4. The Standard, 4 August 2009: Jipcho’s granddaughter wipes tears
  5. The Standard, 20 August 2009: Mt Elgon celebrates Masai’s triumph

External links


Records
Preceded by
Sweden Anders Gärderud
Men's 3000 m steeplechase
world record holder

15 January 1973 – 25 June 1975
Succeeded by
Sweden Anders Gärderud
Awards
Preceded by
Finland Lasse Virén
Track & Field Athlete of the Year
1973
Succeeded by
United States Rick Wohlhuter
Sporting positions
Preceded by
Belgium Emiel Puttemans
Men's 5000 m
best year performance

1974
Succeeded by
Belgium Emiel Puttemans
Preceded by
Sweden Anders Gärderud
Men's 3000 m steeplechase
best year performance

1973
Succeeded by
Sweden Anders Gärderud
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