Ben Jipcho

Ben Jipcho
Jipcho in 1972
Personal information
Full nameBenjamin Wabura Jipcho
Born1 March 1943 (1943-03)
Mount Elgon District, Western Province, Kenya
Died24 July 2020(2020-07-24) (aged 77)[1]
Eldoret, Kenya
Height1.70 m (5 ft 7 in)
Weight71 kg (157 lb)
Sport
SportAthletics
Event
1500-5000 m
Achievements and titles
Personal best(s)1500 m – 3:33.16 (1974)
5000 m – 13:14.3 (1974)
3000 m – 8:13.91 (1973)
Medal record
Olympic Games
Representing  Kenya
Silver medal – second place 1972 Munich 3000 m steeplechase
Commonwealth Games
Gold medal – first place 1974 Christchurch 5000 m
Gold medal – first place 1974 Christchurch 3000 m steeplechase
Bronze medal – third place 1974 Christchurch 1500 m
All-Africa Games
Gold medal – first place 1973 Lagos 5000 m
Gold medal – first place 1973 Lagos 3000 m steeplechase

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

  1. ^ a b "Ben Jipcho, the 'rabbit' who helped Keino beat Ryun, dies". AP NEWS. 24 July 2020. Retrieved 4 August 2020.
  2. ^ 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.
  3. ^ Chan, Andy (July 27, 2010) Team Tactics at Championship Races. Pamakidscoach.wordpress.com
  4. ^ Oliver, Brian (2014). The Commonwealth Games: Extraordinary Stories Behind the Medals. A&C Black. p. 99. ISBN 978-1-4729-0732-5.
  5. ^ The Standard, 4 August 2009: Jipcho’s granddaughter wipes tears
  6. ^ The Standard, 20 August 2009: Mt Elgon celebrates Masai’s triumph
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