Kenyans have mourned shining star Kelvin Kiptum, whose life was cut short in a tragic road accident. Kelvin Kiptum and Gervais Hakizimana died in a grisly road accident along the Eldoret-Kaptagat road. The 24-year-old world record holder died alongside his coach, Gervais Hakizimana. TUKO.co.ke has compiled 5 heartwarming photos of Kiptum’s dedicated coach, Hakizimana, go through. 1. Kelvin Kiptum’s coach was Rwandese Gervais Hakizimana first travelled to Kenya in 2006 when he was 18 to train for the 2007 World Cross Country Championships in Mombasa. But a few months later, he was forced to flee the country after the 2007 post-election violence erupted. 2. How did Kelvin Kiptum meet his coach? According to the Marathon Handbook, Kiptum met Hakizimana while he was training in Iten. Kiptum was among the hang-on who used to join the Rwandese man whenever he was training. 3. Kelvin Kiptum’s coach was an athlete After returning to Rwanda, where he competed in several assignments. In 2016, during the London Marathon, he competed unsuccessfully against Kenya’s world record holder Eliud Kipchoge. Kipchoge won the race, and a few years later, in 2023, Kiptum broke his record. Hakizimana then retired from international competition and settled in France. 4. Kelvin Kiptum appoints Hakizimana as his coach According to Marathon Handbook, the two athletes reconnected via WhatsApp after Kiptum contacted him seeking advice on how to go about his passion. In a past interview, Hakizimana revealed he used to send the focused Kenyan athlete training programs, and in 2022, Kiptum won the Valencia Marathon. Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana. 5. Hakizimana, the passionate, focused and supportive coach Kiptum and his coach had a great relationship and In 2023, after he won the London Marathon, Hakizimana began spending more time in Kenya to help him keep focused. Kelvin Kiptum and his coach Gervais Hakizimana celebrating after winning a past marathon. Photo: Gervais Hakizimana Source: Facebook Photos of the two embracing and posing for photos after Kiptum won races warmed hearts, with many praising Hakizimana for being one of the most successful African coaches.
by Caren Nyota