Benjamin Kiplagat Found Dead in Eldoret, Kenya.

Long-distance athlete Edward Kiplagat alias Benjamin was on Sunday 31st December, 2023,  found inside a car in Eldoret, Kenya.

According to Moiben Sub-County Police Commander Stephen Okal, the athlete’s body was found inside his brother’s car in Texas near Kimumu Secondary School along Eldoret-Iten Road.

The Police Commander also confirmed that Kiplagat’s body showed a deep knife cut on the neck.

He added that a team of officers was dispatched to the scene to investigate the incident.

“Our officers are on the ground following crucial leads,” he informed the media.

Kiplagat specialised in long-distance races, recently representing Uganda in the Rio Olympics Games in 2016.

The 34-year-old received several accolades in the course of his 17-year career including World Under 20 Championships Silver medalist, African Championships Bronze medalist, and was ranked in the Top 8 category in the Commonwealth Games as well as the All-African Games.

According to the World Athletics Rankings, he was placed 38th overall in the Men’s 3,000 metre Steeplechase.

Over the years, he has participated in various competitions globally including the Shanghai Samsung Diamond League, Lausanne Athletissima in Switzerland, Paris Meeting Areva and Hengelo Fanny Blankers-Koen Games in the Netherlands.

In June 2012, Kiplagat made history after clinching bronze in the 3,000-metre Steeplechase final, the first medal of any kind to be won by a Ugandan male athlete following years of dominance by the Kenyan athletes.

At 34 years, Kiplagat had competed in 18 major tournaments and his best position came in 2008 when he finished second in World Junior Championship in Poland. RIP Kiplagat!