“Rip Man”: Track and Field World Mourns Kelvin Kiptum’s Unfortunate Passing

“I knew I was coming for a course record, but a world record — I am so happy,” Kelvin Kiptum’s words after his Chicago Marathon bravado last year crafted a different parable for him. It was staying humble even after reaching the pinnacle. That parable received an extra layer after the news that the Kenyan took no special coaching except for being nurtured by his childhood trainer.

Meanwhile, in the path to reach glory, Kelvin Kiptum was eyeing for bigger peaks. But, in reality, it took a sudden stumble this morning.  Kelvin Kiptum’s bravado couldn’t last much longer as the marathon record holder had to bid adieu to the world. The fateful news surfaced this morning. Since then, the list of wishers has expanded with time. 

Kelvin Kiptum passed away, leaving his records and fans behind 

For the last several weeks, Kelvin Kiptum could only think about more inclination towards his practice regime. In Chicago last year, the 24-year-old sprinter flaunted a glimpse of his ability. But as per his long-time trainer, Gervais Hakizimana, Kelvin, was vying for the Olympic podium this year. But an X-post from former Kenyan Prime minister, Raila Odinga solidified that the 2x World Marathon Major lost his breath last night. 

“Devastating news as we mourn the loss of a remarkable individual, Kelvin Kiptum, World Record holder and Kenyan athletics icon,” it conceded. Keeping the sad note extended, he also informed that in Kelvin Kiptum’s dying endeavor, Gervais Hakizimana was his compatriot. That news sent a tremor to the sprinter’s fans as soon as they gathered under World Athletics’ IG post that framed Kiptum once as the season’s best. 

A last ODE to the fly king 

A Kenyan athlete who started his marathon journey at 13 years of age displayed clairvoyance to take on legendary Eliud Kipchoge’s world record just 10 years later. This was Kelvin Kiptum’s story in short. So, the fan, amjude_ reverberated the mood with the comment, “Fly King. Forever In our Hearts”. So did Kiptum’s Korean fan, runner_ksh. On his mournful part, he wrote, “Champ. Your potential was limitless. Rest in peace.”  

Read more: After Shattering World Record at 2023 Chicago Marathon, Kelvin Kiptum Teases Toppling Fellow Countryman’s Achievement

A humble fan, _dennohgram._ added, “RIP man” in the first account. The user account, iiilorycore wrote, “I remember seeing him running at the Chicago Marathon. It’s shocking he’s dead. I almost don’t believe it. R.I.P”. As time passed on, the gloomy note filled the comment box with melancholy.  The World Athletics president chief Sebastian Coe shared his poignant note for the loss this morning. In the same way, Hollywood actress Carmen Baque registered her plaintive outpouring on the occasion-“It breaks our hearts. rest in peace legend”. 

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