Paul Kipsiele Koech (born 10 November 1981) is a Kenyan runner who specializes in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He won the 2004 Olympic bronze medal in this event. His personal best of 7:54.31 minutes is the third fastest of all time.
He was born in 1981 in Kapchepkoro, near the town of Sotik. He graduated from Cheplanget Secondary School in 1999. He did well at the National Cross Country Championships and was subsequently invited to compete in Europe and joined a team managed by James Templeton.21 August 2004: Focus on Africa – Paul Kipsielei Koech (KEN)
Despite being among the fastest steeplechasers, he has failed several times at the Kenyan trials for World championships or Olympics.The Standard, 12 August 2009: Kipsiele confident of Berlin victory He competed at the all seven IAAF World Athletics Final meetings, finishing every time in the top three, being the only athlete to achieve it.IAAF, 24 September 2009: World Athletics Final – a statistical farewell
He has had success in cross country running, with wins at the Cinque Mulini (2006) and the Iris Lotto Cross Cup (2007) to his name. He holds the steeplechase meet record for the Prefontaine Classic, Adidas Grand Prix, and DN Galan.
He has built a primary school near his home. He also trains some younger runners, including World junior champion Mercy Cherono. Koech is married and has a daughter born in 2004 and a younger son.
In February 2010 he set a world best of 5:17.04 in the rarely competed 2000 m indoor steeplechase. He won twice in the 2010 Diamond League and finished with enough points to become the inaugural steeplechase Diamond Trophy winner. He improved his indoor 2000 m steeplechase record to 5:13.77 at the Indoor Flanders Meeting in February 2011.
At the Rome Diamond League event in May Koech set a new personal best of 7:54.31, the third fastest time ever for the 3000 metre steeplechase.Hedrix, Ivo (14 February 2011). Kombich clocks world leading 3:34.13 in Gent, junior Koech continues to impress. IAAF. Retrieved on 2011-02-14. Despite this performance, he did not perform well in the altitude of the Kenyan Olympic trials and finished outside of the top five.Mutuota, Mutwiri (23 June 2012). Rudisha runs 1:42.12 at altitude – Kenyan Olympic Trials . IAAF. Retrieved on 2012-06-24.
Achievements 2003All-Africa GamesAbuja, Nigeria 2ndWorld Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 2nd2004Olympic GamesAthens, Greece 3rd3000 m steepleWorld Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 3rd2005World ChampionshipsHelsinki, Finland 7th3000 m steepleWorld Athletics FinalMonte Carlo, Monaco 1st2006African ChampionshipsBambous, Mauritius 1stWorld Athletics FinalStuttgart, Germany 1stIAAF World CupAthens, Greece 2nd2007World Athletics FinalStuttgart, Germany 1st2008World Indoor ChampionshipsValencia, Spain 2nd3000 mWorld Athletics FinalStuttgart, Germany 1st2009World ChampionshipsBerlin, Germany 4th3000 m steepleWorld Athletics FinalThessaloniki, Greece 2nd3000 m s'chase2010Diamond LeagueDiamond trophy winner1st3000 m s'chase
Personal bests 1500 metres – 3:37.92 (2007) 3000 metres – 7:33.93 (2005) Two miles – 8:13.31 (2008) 5000 metres – 13:05.18 (2010) 3000 metres steeplechase – 7:54.31 (2012) Half Marathon - 1:01:03 (2017) Marathon - 2:12:02 (2017)
References
External links Official website