Thursday, January 12, 2023

Why Kalenjin are best athletes

 Why  the Kelenjins are best athletes

The Kalenjin people of Kenya have a long history of success in distance runing, particularly in events such as the marathon and steeplechase. There are several factors that have contributed to this success:

a.Genetic factors: Research has suggested that the Kalenjin may have a genetic predisposition towards endurance running. Studies have found that they have a high proportion of a certain variant of the ACTN3 gene, which is associated with endurance sports pervormance.

b.Cultural factors: Distance running is deeply ingrained in Kalenjin culture. For example, the sport is a rite of passage for young men, and the Kalenjin have a tradition of using running as a means of hunting and transportation. This cultural emphasis on running may have helped to foster a strong running tradition among the Kalenjin.

c.Training methods: Kenyan runners, including the Kalenjin, are known for their high-volume, high-intensity training regimen. They often train at high altitudes and focus on running at a steady pace over long distances, which helps to build endurance.

c.Economic Factors: Many young Kenyan's turn to running as a means to escape poverty. Athletics offers them an opportunity to secure financial stability, by winning races and getting sponsorship, which serve as motivation to excel in the sport.

d.Coaching: Kenya have a strong coaching system where coaches, many of whom are former runners, pass on their knowledge and experience to the next generation. The coaches focus on developing a holistic approach to training, taking into account factors such as nutrition, injury prevention, and mental preparation.

It is important to note that not every Kalenjin person is a good runner, and there are many other factors that go into an individual's athletic performance. The culture, genetics, training and economic factors are some of the contributing factors that have made Kalenjins excel in athletics.

e.Another important factor that has contributed to the success of Kalenjin runners is their strong sense of community and support system. Many Kalenjin runners come from small, tight-knit villages where running is a shared passion. They train together, often under the guidance of a single coach, and provide each other with encouragement and motivation. This sense of camaraderie and support can be a powerful force in helping runners to push through difficult training sessions and achieve their goals.

f.Additionally, the Kalenjin have been successful in producing a large number of elite runners over the years, this create a "culture of excellence" that inspires and motivates young Kalenjins to take up running and aim to reach the same level of excellence as their peers and predecessors.


g.Another aspect to consider is the role of competition and access to resources, as it also plays a big role in the success of Kalenjin runners. Kenya has a strong tradition of distance running, and there is fierce competitionamong runners to be selected for national and international teams. This competition drives runners to train harder and push themselves to new levels of performance.

h.In addition, Kenya has a relatively developed sports infrastructure, which includes training facilities and access to equipment, as well as a national sports academy that provides young athletes with training and support. This allows for runners to have access to resources necessary to achieve their koals.

i.Moreover, Kenya's running culture is not just restricted to the athletes but also to the general population. The whole country gets behind the runners, providing support and encouragement, which can help to create a positive environment for athletes to thrive in.

j.Another important factors that has contributed to the success of Kalenjin runners is the role of education. Many elite runners from the Kalenjin community come from humble backgrounds and have had to overcome significant challenges to pursue their dreams of becoming professional athletes. However, despite the financial and social barriers they face, many 'Kalee' 'runners have been able to excel in both their athletic and educational pursuits. This is a testament to their perseveranse and dedication, as well as the value placed on education within the community

k.Farthermore, The Kenyan education system has helped provide a foundation for the development of young athletes. The edugation system encourages the integration of sports in schools and also provides opportunities for young athletes to receive scholarships in order to pursue their education while competing in sports

It's also worthnoting that the success of Kalenjin runners has had a positive impact on the region. The success of this athletes has brought attention and investment to the region, which has helped to improve infrastructure and provide oportunities for young people.

In conclusion, the success of 'wakalee' runners in athletics can be attributed to a combination of genetic, cultural, environmental, training, economic, community, competition, access to resources, and education. Each of these factors plays an important role in creating the conditions that have allowed Kalenjin runners to excel in the sport, and the combination of these factorss has created a unique culture of runing that has helped to produce some of the world's best distance runners like faith kipyegon, David rudisha, eliud kipchogee and Many others..


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