Timothy Cheruiyot is determined to reclaim his dominance in the 1500m after injury struggles, eyeing a strong 2025 season.
Former world 1500m champion Timothy Cheruiyot is confident of a strong comeback in 2025 leaving behind a difficult spell marred by injuries and underwhelming performances.
The Kenyan middle-distance star, once a dominant force in the event, is determined to reclaim his place among the world’s best as he sets his sights on a fresh start.
The world marks the first anniversary of Kelvin Kiptum’s death on Tuesday but for his parents, it is a painful reminder of how unbearable life has been since their son passed away.
After suffering setbacks in recent years, Cheruiyot believes his struggles have only made him stronger.
“I learned many lessons during my injury struggle because at that moment you need to believe in yourself. I have been struggling with injury since 2021 but I have managed it, training and rehabilitating slowly, and now I am ready,” he said in an interview with Capital FM.
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The 29-year-old first made his mark in 2019 when he stormed to victory at the World Championships in Doha, clocking 3:29.26 to claim his first global title. A year later, he was heavily tipped to secure Olympic gold in Tokyo, but despite a strong effort, he settled for silver with a time of 3:29.01.
His struggles began in 2022, where he lost his world title in Oregon after finishing sixth in the final with a time of 3:30.69.
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Though he bounced back to clinch silver at the Commonwealth Games a month later, the following season proved even more challenging. At the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, he failed to make it past the semi-finals, placing ninth with a time of 3:37.40.
Adding to his frustrations, Cheruiyot had a disappointing outing at the Paris Olympics, finishing 11th in the final with 3:31.35—a far cry from his previous high standards. However, he is not dwelling on past disappointments and is instead focused on the future.
“This year, I am looking at a number of one-day meets and Diamond League races. 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),” he said.
Cheruiyot’s determination was evident when he competed in the men’s 2km loop at the National Cross Country Championships in Eldoret last weekend, where he finished third. While cross country is not his specialty, the event provided him with a solid test of endurance and sharpness ahead of the track season.
The road to redemption will not be easy, with a new generation of talent emerging in the 1500m. Norwegian star Jakob Ingebrigtsen has established himself as the dominant force, while a deep pool of competitors from Kenya, Ethiopia, and beyond will ensure stiff competition.
Yet, if Cheruiyot’s past performances are anything to go by, he remains a formidable challenger when in peak condition.
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With the 2024 track season fast approaching, Cheruiyot will have ample opportunities to test himself against the best.
“I am feeling good, my body is responding well, and I just need to be patient and consistent. The goal is to return to my best and compete at the highest level again,” he said.
His journey back to the top is one that many will follow closely. As the races begin, all eyes will be on Timothy Cheruiyot to see if he can rise again.
