NAIROBI, Kenya, June 24, 2026 – Former 1500m kingpin Timothy Cheruiyot could yet rise from the ashes like a phoenix and roll back the years when he was absolutely peerless on the track.
The 2019 world champion says he is feeling in the best shape of his life after a long struggle with injuries that saw him fall by the wayside.
“This season I feel it is a good season for me. I am happy I am injury-free…the build-up was well. I started in October last year and I am happy my body is responding very well,” Cheruiyot said.
Coming off the back of a successful season in 2019 and 2020, the 30-year-old was expected to set the world alight at the Tokyo Olympics, cruising easily to the 1500m crown.
However, the Bomet-born athlete could only muster a second-place finish, clocking 3:29.01 to collect silver at the quadrennial event.
Since then, Cheruiyot’s career has oscillated between two extreme ends, with the athlete struggling to attain the heights he reached pre-Covid.
Reflecting on his long journey to recovery, Cheruiyot admits he could not have come through unscathed had it not been for his dependable support team.
“I am happy about the management…they supported me a lot and took me outside (abroad) for treatment. I am happy,” he said.
Feeling fit as a fiddle, Cheruiyot is now focused on the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow where he will be seeking to add to his silver medal clinched in Birmingham in 2022.
He timed 3:32.28 to win the men’s 1500m at last Saturday’s national trials at the Nyayo Stadium as his namesake, Reynold Cheruiyot came second in 3:32.35.
The 2024 African champion Brian Komen came third in 3:32.60.
“Today’s field was very strong…as usual, the Kenya national trials are usually very competitive. I believed in myself, the training as well,” he said.
The story of the towering national icon will be definitely one to watch in the coming months as he continues his redemption arc.
