Uganda's athletics community is in shock and mourning following the tragic death of Benjamin Kiplagat, the country's 3,000-meter steeplechase champion. Kiplagat was found dead on Saturday in Eldoret, Kenya, after reportedly being attacked by unknown assailants.
Dominic Otuchet, the President of the Uganda Athletics Federation (UAF), confirmed Kiplagat's untimely demise. According to Otuchet, the champion was attacked at 9 pm after withdrawing money from the bank and heading to his brother's home in Iten, Eldoret city.
Unknown assailants ambushed Kiplagat while he was in his car, stabbed him in the chest, and stole an unspecified amount of money. His lifeless body was discovered on the driver's seat.
Kiplagat's journey in athletics began with the 10,000 meters at the 2004 World Junior Championships. He made his international debut at the 2006 World Cross Country Championships, earning qualification by finishing 6th in the Ugandan Junior Cross Country Championships.
At the World Junior Championships, Kiplagat set a new national record of 8:35.77, which he later improved to 8:34.14 in the final, finishing in 6th place.
In 2008, he achieved a notable 4th place in the World Cross Country Championships. The same year, he lowered the Uganda record to 8:16.06 and then 8:14.29, securing a second-place finish in the World Junior Championships.
Despite health setbacks in the 2009 season, Kiplagat managed to further lower the Ugandan national record to 8:12.98. In 2010, he continued to impress, lowering the Ugandan record to 8:03.81 and finishing 4th at the Commonwealth Games.
The sudden and tragic loss of Benjamin Kiplagat has left the Ugandan athletics community in sorrow. Otuchet expressed condolences to Kiplagat's family and urged the relevant authorities to swiftly investigate the circumstances surrounding his death.
The legacy of Benjamin Kiplagat, marked by his athletic achievements and dedication to the sport, will be remembered by the nation and the global athletics community.
