Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot is optimistic about a successful season after overcoming injury challenges that have hindered his performance since 2021. Reflecting on his journey, Cheruiyot emphasized the importance of self-belief during difficult times.
He stated, “I learned many lessons during my injury struggle because at that moment you need to believe in yourself.”
The 29-year-old athlete has faced a series of setbacks following his 2019 world title victory in Doha, where he clocked 3:29.26. In the subsequent years, injuries impacted his performances, including a silver medal at the Tokyo Olympics in 2021 with a time of 3:29.01, a sixth-place finish at the 2022 World Championships in Oregon, and a ninth-place finish in the semi-finals at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.
Despite these challenges, Cheruiyot has shown resilience. He secured a silver medal at the 2022 Commonwealth Games with a time of 3:30.21 and recorded a season-best of 3:28.71 in Monaco in 2024.
Now, feeling rejuvenated, he is eager to compete in the upcoming track and field season. “This year, I am looking at a number of one-day meets and Diamond League. Locally, I want to compete in a number of track and field weekend meetings as I build my confidence and look forward to Tokyo (World Championships),” Cheruiyot shared.
He recently demonstrated his renewed form with a third-place finish in the men’s 2km loop at the National Cross Country Championships in Eldoret. As he prepares for the season ahead, Cheruiyot remains focused on regaining his position among the world’s elite 1500m runners.
