Benjamin Kigen (born July 5, 1993) is a Kenyan athlete who competes primarily in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He won the bronze medal at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics. Kigen took gold at the 2019 All-Africa Games.

Benjamin Kigen
Kigen in Madrid in 2017
Personal information
NationalityKenyan
Born (1993-07-05) July 5, 1993 (age 31)
Sport
CountryKenya
SportTrack and field
Event3000 m steeplechase
Achievements and titles
National finals
Personal best8:05.12 (Monaco 2019)
Medal record
Men's athletics
Representing  Kenya
Olympic Games
Bronze medal – third place 2020 Tokyo 3000 m st.
African Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Rabat 3000 m st.
Military World Games
Gold medal – first place 2019 Wuhan 3000 m st.

He is from Baringo County, Kenya and trains with Amos Kirui under coach Isaac Rono.[1]

Kigen won the 3000 m steeplechase at the 2018 Prefontaine Classic, beating 2017 world champion Conseslus Kipruto and 2016 Olympic silver medalist Evan Jager with a 57.89 second last lap.[2]

He qualified to represent Kenya at the 2020 Tokyo Olympics,[3] where he won the bronze medal in his specialist event with a time of 8:11.45, behind Soufiane El Bakkali (8:08.90) and Lamecha Girma (8:10.38).[4]

His personal best is 8:05.12 (Monaco 2019).

Achievements

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International competitions

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Year Competition Venue Position Event Notes
2019 African Games Rabat, Morocco 1st 3000 m st. 8:12.39
World Championships Doha, Qatar 6th 3000 m st. 8:06.95
Military World Games Wuhan, China 1st 3000 m st. 8:24.50
2021 Olympic Games Tokyo, Japan 3rd 3000 m st. 8:11.45
2022 African Championships Port Louis, Mauritius 6th 3000 m st. 8:38.83
World Championships Eugene, OR, United States 19th (h) 3000 m st. 8:22.52

Circuit wins and titles, National championships

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3000 metres steeplechase wins, other events specified in parentheses

Personal bests

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References

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  1. ^ "Newcomer Kigen shakes up steeplechase status quo".
  2. ^ "Prefontaine Classic Men 3000 M Steeplechase (Final)".
  3. ^ Olobulu, Timothy (2021-06-19). "Conseslus, Timothy Cheruiyot out as Kenya names team for Tokyo Olympics". Capital Sports. Retrieved 2021-06-20.
  4. ^ "Kenya's Reign is Over: Soufiane El Bakkali Wins Olympic Men's Steeplechase in Tokyo". LetsRun.com. 2021-08-02. Retrieved 2021-08-02.
  5. ^ "Wanda Diamond League Final | Zürich (SUI) | 8th-9th Sept 2021" (PDF). Diamond League. 2021-09-09. p. 3. Retrieved 2021-09-09.
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