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Faith Kipyegon has explained how her parent's 'tough love' turned her into the legendary athlete she now is, citing several situations where her 'mischief' as a child subjected her to strokes of cane from her parents.
From humble beginnings in the rural village in Kenya’s Rift Valley to shattering world records and amassing Olympic titles, Faith Kipyegon’s journey epitomizes determination, resilience, and extraordinary talent.
Known to her fans as the ‘smiling assassin,’ for her ever-smiling demeanour, the triple Olympic champion’s path to greatness was anything but straightforward.
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10:00 - 19.12.2024
'I could have had ten children'- supermom Faith Kipyegon on the key virtue she has learnt to embrace that has impacted her motherhood
Olympic champion Faith Kipyegon has picked up traits throughout her illustrious career that transcends the track into her personal life and motherhood journey.
It is hard to imagine the poised and disciplined athlete as anything close to troublesome, but Kipyegon’s childhood tells a different story.
Born as the eighth of nine children to Samuel Kipyegon Koech and Linah Koech, she grew up under strict parenting, a foundation she now credits as pivotal to her success.
“I will say my heroes are my parents,” Kipyegon shared in an episode of the Engage Talk.
“My father, my mother, and my brothers for laying a very good foundation for me to be successful today. I went to several primary schools. So if it wasn’t for my mother and father knowing that I could sometimes pretend like I’m going to buy milk but instead go back home and skip school, I wouldn’t be where I am today," she recounted her mischevious days as a youngster.
"I remember one time they came and caned me at my sister’s place because I had skipped school. I was very notorious and mischievous.”
Far from resenting these moments of discipline, Kipyegon now sees them as formative experiences that instilled the focus and perseverance necessary for her athletic career.
“My parents are my heroes because I didn’t know this was training me to focus and maybe one day be an Olympic champion or world champion,” she reflects.
Today, with three Olympic titles under her belt, her most recent at the 2024 Paris Olympics and several world records to her name, the foundation laid by her parents has paid off.
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08:30 - 14.12.2024
'I used to run to school barefooted & alone at five years old' - How Faith Kipyegon's humble beginings fueled her into becoming a legendary star
Faith Kipyegon may be a big star nowadays, but her journey into becoming a legend was a long and tedious one.
Kipyegon’s gratitude for her upbringing shines through as she acknowledges the critical role her family played in shaping her character and ambitions.
From a mischievous child skipping school in Ndababit to one of the most celebrated athletes in history, Kipyegon’s journey inspires countless others to dream big and persevere through challenges.
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