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Olympic steeplechase champion Kipruto eyes World Cross Country title
Nairobi, Nov 14 (IANS) Olympic steeplechase champion Conseslus Kipruto has his eyes set on making the Kenyan team heading to the World Cross Country Championships in Denmark in March.
Last season Kipruto suffered a back problem that saw him struggle to establish his authority in the steeplechase race and despite winning the Africa Championships and the IAAF Diamond League, he performed below his potential, reports Xinhua news agency.
“It was in my plans to try and run for the world record last season. I wanted to do it in Monaco, and I thought I would do it, but I experienced a slight problem in my back and I couldn’t do it,” Kipruto said on Wednesday in Eldoret.
Two months ago he was involved in a road accident but was lucky to walk away unhurt after his luxury SUV hit a tractor near Eldoret. Now he believes his injury concerns are behind him and he looks forward to the new season.
Kipruto’s agent Michel Boeting has confirmed that his athlete is back in top form.
“He wants to run the Kenyan season and try to qualify for the World Cross Country Championships in Denmark…For the 2019 season his main aim, apart from trying to defend the world title, is to finally break the eight minute barrier and threaten the world record,” said Boeting.
Qatar’s Saeed Saif Shaheen has held on to the world record for the last 14 years. The world record stands at 7:53.63 and only Beijing Olympic champion Brimin Kipruto has come close to breaking it when he clocked a time of 7:53.64 in Monaco three years ago.
“Even if I will not break the world record, I want to try and run (a) sub-eight minute (time),” said Kipruto.
Kipruto said he has become accustomed to winning in major competitions and believes having won all the titles on offer from his junior days to today, the world record will be enough to seal his spot among the legends in the water and hurdle race.
“It requires a lot of preparation and commitment to remain on top in sports. But I want to continue working hard and see how fast I can run,” he added.
–IANS
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Dr. Abhishek Verma Dedicates a Shelter in Memory of His Mother, Veena Verma, at KGMU; Inaugurated by Daughter Nicolle Verma
World-renowned business tycoon Dr. Abhishek Verma has supported Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission. In memory of his mother, Late Veena Verma, who was a 3 term Rajya Sabha MP.
Dr. Verma dedicated a state-of-the-art free permanent shelter for the attendants of patients at KGMU Medical University, Lucknow, under the aegis of Vijay Shree Foundation. His daughter, Nicolle Verma, inaugurated the shelter.
During the event, Foodman Vishal Singh honored Nicolle Verma by presenting her with a memento. Mrs. Nidhi Sharma and Avantika Yadav, associated with the organization, welcomed her with garlands. Following this, Nicolle Verma distributed essential items to the attendants and also handed out fruits. She became emotional remembering her grandmother on her birth anniversary.
On this occasion, she also inaugurated the “Veena Verma Sevalaya” in memory of her grandmother, Veena Verma, to serve the attendants. She expressed, “I feel proud that my family is engaged in nation-building as well as social service. Today, in collaboration with Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh Ji, I feel immensely proud to dedicate this shelter for the poor, helpless, and needy attendants of patients battling serious illnesses like cancer. I am honored to be associated with the Hunger-Free World Mission for humanity.”
Inspired by the continuous humanitarian service provided by Vijay Shree Foundation over the past 17 years, Nicolle Verma donated 10 lakh rupees to support the cause. The purpose of this donation is to ensure that services continue for the needy attendants of patients suffering from severe illnesses in hospitals, as facilitated by Foodman Vishal Singh.
It is noteworthy that Dr. Abhishek Verma’s family has a legacy of public and philanthropic service. They are helping millions to carry forward the values and service work of their parents. On the occasion of his mother’s birth anniversary, Dr. Abhishek Verma dedicated this state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College to serve the attendants of patients through the Vijay Shree Foundation.
Supporting Foodman Vishal Singh’s Hunger-Free World mission, Dr. Abhishek Verma assured that he would continually support keeping this flame of humanity alive. He also promised to assist in providing medicines to the helpless patients.
Continuing her grandmother’s legacy of service, Nicolle Verma personally served food to the needy patients and attendants. She said, “It is our good fortune to have received the joy of doing this noble work today through Foodman Vishal Singh. I have taken another step forward in carrying my family’s values and cooperation by joining hands with the Vijay Shree Foundation. My father taught me to serve and help the needy, and I feel happy when I bring a smile to someone’s face.”
On the birth anniversary of the late Veena Verma, the event organizer, Vijay Shree Foundation founder Foodman Vishal Singh, said, “We feel proud and happy that Dr. Abhishek Verma, a globally renowned business tycoon, has extended his support to uplift our country from the hunger index. Today, on his mother’s birth anniversary, he inaugurated a state-of-the-art permanent shelter at Lucknow Medical College, which will always be helpful for the needy attendants of patients. It is a pleasure for me and the organization to receive the affection of Mr. Verma.”
The event was attended by General Manager Verma Family Office Hemant Garg, Sonu Rajput, and the organization’s volunteers, including Sandeep Singh, Parmeshwar Ji, Prashant Rao Gautam, Balram Singh, Ramesh Chaudhary, Suman, Jeetu, Anil, Suraj, Vinay, Manish Bhadauria, Manas Mehrotra, Vivek, Apurv, Happy, and others.