What next for Peres Jepchirchir after injury blow?

ATHLETICS What next for Peres Jepchirchir after injury blow?

Abigael Wafula 20:33 - 12.11.2023

Peres Jepchirchir has shared her ambitions for next year after an injury setback forced her to end her season prematurely.

Reigning Olympic champion Peres Jepchirchir received a major calf injury setback that saw her withdraw from the New York City Marathon.

The 30-year-old had a great start to her season, finishing third at the London Marathon and bagging wins at the Great North Run and the World Road Running Championships, and she was hopeful of maintaining the winning streak before the injury set her back.

The 2021 New York City Marathon champion will now have to go back to the drawing board and have a rest as she thinks about next year where she seeks to defend her Olympic title over the marathon.

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She expressed her interest in defending her title but she remains uncertain on whether she will be selected to be part of Team Kenya for the global assignment.

“I want to go and first have a rest and get treated as I prepare for the Olympic Games. First, I have to become fit and then now I will be ready for the Olympic Games," Jepchirchir said.

"However, I don’t know if I’ll be selected in the team to represent Kenya at the Olympics. There will be no trials but I feel confident that I will be chosen to go and defend my title."

The 2022 Boston Marathon champion has had a spell with injuries and had to pull out of last year’s World Championships and the New York City Marathon too due to a left hip problem.

Fingers will remain crossed ahead of next year’s Olympic Games where Jepchirchir and five-time Berlin Marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge will be hopeful to defend their titles.