// Workers AI · dad joke modeWho's Ben Jipcho? A jump to conclusions guy.
(Redirected from Benjamin Jipcho)
 Jipcho in 1972 | |
| Personal information | |
|---|---|
| Full name | Benjamin Wabura Jipcho |
| Born | 1 March 1943 Mount Elgon District, Western Province, Kenya |
| Died | 24 July 2020 (aged 77)[1] Eldoret, Kenya |
| Height | 1.70 m (5 ft 7 in) |
| Weight | 71 kg (157 lb) |
| Sport | |
| Sport | Athletics |
Event | 1500-5000 m |
| Achievements and titles | |
| Personal bests | 1500 m – 3:33.16 (1974) 5000 m – 13:14.3 (1974) 3000 m – 8:13.91 (1973) |
Benjamin Wabura Jipcho (1 March 1943 – 24 July 2020) was a track and field athlete from Kenya who won the silver medal in the 3000 metres steeplechase at the 1972 Summer Olympics.[2]
Jipcho won the silver medal in the 3000m steeplechase at the 1970 Commonwealth Games held in Edinburgh, Scotland ahead of fellow Kenyan and Olympic champion, Amos Biwott. Jipcho won the 5000 m at 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 metres at the 1974 Commonwealth Games in Christchurch, New Zealand.
He played a role in team-mate Kip Keino's victory over Jim Ryun in the high altitude 1968 Summer Olympics in Mexico City. Sacrificing his own chances for a medal to team tactics, Jipcho pulled Keino through a 56-second first 400 metres, before being passed by his teammate with 800 metres to go and drifting back into the pack. By that point, Keino had established a lead of 20 metres or more, which Ryun's famous finishing speed could not erase.[3] 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."[4]
His granddaughter Esther Chemutai is also a runner,[5] while he was a distant uncle to the siblings Linet Masai and Moses Masai.[6]
Jipcho died of cancer in Fountain Hospital in Eldoret, Kenya.[1]
References
[edit]- 1 2 "Ben Jipcho, the 'rabbit' who helped Keino beat Ryun, dies". AP NEWS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
- ↑ Evans, Hilary; Gjerde, Arild; Heijmans, Jeroen; Mallon, Bill; et al. "Ben Jipcho". Olympics at Sports-Reference.com. Sports Reference LLC. Archived from the original on 31 January 2012.
- ↑ 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
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Commonwealth Games champions in men's 5000 metres | |
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| 3 miles (1930–1966) |
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| 5000 metres (1970–present) |
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Commonwealth Games champions in men's 3000 metres steeplechase | |
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| 2 miles steeplechase (1930–1934) |
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| 3000 metres steeplechase (1970–present) |
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Categories:
- 1943 births
- 2020 deaths
- Kenyan men middle-distance runners
- Olympic athletes for Kenya
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1968 Summer Olympics
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Olympic silver medalists for Kenya
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists for Kenya
- Commonwealth Games athletes for Kenya
- Kenyan men steeplechase runners
- Medalists at the 1972 Summer Olympics
- Olympic silver medalists in athletics
- African Games gold medalists for Kenya
- African Games gold medalists in athletics (track and field)
- African Games athletes for Kenya
- Track & Field News Athlete of the Year winners
- Athletes (track and field) at the 1973 All-Africa Games
- People from Bungoma County
- Medallists at the 1970 British Commonwealth Games
- Medallists at the 1974 British Commonwealth Games
- 20th-century Kenyan sportsmen
- Commonwealth Games gold medallists in athletics
- Medalists at the 1973 All-Africa Games
- Olympic men steeplechase runners