Kenya’s javelin sensation Irene Jepkemboi targets big goals after breaking national record in USA

Kenya's Irene Jepkemboi at the Texas A&M Invitational last weekend. Photo: TCU

Kenya’s javelin sensation Irene Jepkemboi targets big goals after breaking national record in USA

Joel Omotto 13:00 - 26.03.2024

Kenyan youngster Irene Jepkemboi has revealed her big ambitions after she broke the national javelin record in Texas last weekend.

After a stellar performance at the Texas A&M Invitational, where she broke both the Kenyan National record and the Texas Christian University (TCU) record in javelin, Irene Jepkemboi is now setting her sights on a bigger goal: qualification for the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Jepkemboi's remarkable throw of 57.23m (187 feet 9 inches) not only secured her victory but also catapulted her to the forefront of Kenya's javelin scene. Surpassing the previous national record of 53.58 set by Cecilia Kiplangat in 2007, Jepkemboi's achievement has not gone unnoticed.

With her mark now standing as the No. 2 throw in the NCAA this season, despite it being only her second meet as a freshman at TCU, Jepkemboi's potential is undeniable. Her dominance on the field has sparked excitement among athletics enthusiasts and raised hopes for Kenya's prospects in the upcoming Olympics.

As she continues to train and refine her technique, Jepkemboi is fully focused on the road to Paris 2024. With determination and dedication, she aims to qualify for the prestigious event and represent Kenya on the world stage.

“I am so glad to have improved on my performance and even broke the national record. I haven’t done a lot of training because I am trying to align with the new environment but I believe in the near future, I will be able to do even better,” Jepkemboi, who threw 50m before improving to 52m at the Athletics Kenya weekend meets prior to joining TCU, told Nation.

Jepkemboi's journey from breaking records at the collegiate level to aiming for Olympic qualification is a testament to her talent, hard work, and unwavering ambition.

With the support of her coaches such as Joseph Boit, the rising star, who honed her skills at Eldoret-based Complete Training Camp is hoping to make her mark at the global stage and emulate her idol Julius Yego, the 2015 world javelin champion.

“Joining Complete Sports Training Camp in Kaptagat, Uasin Gishu county gave me an upper hand and that is why I managed to shine in my event but I am not yet there because I want to compete in global events like World Championships and Olympics Games,” she added.

As the countdown to Paris 2024 begins, all eyes will be on Jepkemboi as she embarks on her quest for Olympic qualification where 64m is the mark she needs to hit to seal her ticket to the Paris Games.

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