The words of former US President Barrack Obama “we have not inherited  this land from our forebears, we have borrowed it from our children” ring loudly in the ears of world marathon bronze medallist Amos Kipruto.

The soft-spoken athlete, who speaks fondly of the motivation he derives from his five-year-old twin daughters Joy and Joyline, says his role model in athletics is 2008 Olympics marathon champion, the late Samuel Wanjiru.

But having said that, Kpruto gives a hint on his secret to success.

One,  he says settling early in life    was a starter block to his meteoric rise which has seen him become a household name in Kenya.

“Getting peace of mind from home is the single most basic ingredient to success.

I am happy because I have an amazing and supportive family and with my daughters, I feel I have more responsibility,” says Kipruto, who is married to Janet Samoei, a stay at home mum. 

And this has helped the 27-year-old escape  many social distractions  that  come with his  success.  His eye  is firmly trained on a legacy.

“If we can have a positive mindset while being mindful of others, then we will leave a better world for our children. I think we owe them that much,” adds the former Tulwet Secondary School student.

One of the goals Kipruto has set   for himself is equal and better Wanjiru  marathon record; the Olympics title holder and the London and Chicago marathons champion.

“I have been called a Wanjiru wannabe, I take all that positively because he was a top athlete, one who inspired many. I admired him right from secondary school.

I treasure and to date I carry with me the pride that I was humbled to meet him before he passed on,” Kipruto says of the former Olympic champion who died in May 2011.

Born in Tulon village, Nandi county, the former Rome marathon winner believes Wanjiru could have been the greatest marathoner of all time had death not come too soon. 

That tag is currently held by Olympic and world record holder Eliud Kipchoge and while Kipruto has no qualms about that, he believes Wanjiru could have reached such levels if not more.

“Nobody really knows the heights he could have scaled. I think he had the potential to do something extraordinary,” adds Kipruto. 

It’s therefore, no coincidence that he is under the tutelage of veteran Italian coach Claudio Berardelli, who also handled Wanjiru.

“Credit must be given to Berardelli. He natured Wanjiru and helped him become a world beater. I am lucky to be learning from him too. It is such a great honour for me” he says.

While there is still uncertainty over whether the July 24-August 9 Tokyo Olympics will be held because of the coronavirus, Kipruto says being included in team Kenya’s squad for the Games alongside Kipchoge and Boston Marathon champion Lawrence Cherono  was not by accident. 

“It is about hard work and persistence. You keep working hard to give selectors no option but to include you in the team. Work doesn’t stop there. Competing to win for your country is the biggest achievement in sports,” adds Kipruto.

He hopes Covid-19 pandemic will come  to pass and let the Olympics go as scheduled.

“I am in no position to say anything on whether the Games will go on but all I am advocating for is safety. There can’t be Games without athletes. For now, the message is keep safe,” he says.

Like every athlete around the world, Kipruto’s training programme has been disrupted by the disease, having been forced to leave camp in Kapsabet and train from home. He says despite the training disruption, he remains focussed.