NAIROBI, Nov. 22 (Xinhua) -- New York marathon champion Geoffrey Kamworor has hinted at attempting to raise the bar and break the world record in 2020.
Kamworor, 26, says while he is undecided on whether to go for the marathon or 10,000m track race at the Tokyo Olympic Games, he is convinced to step up his game and fill the shoes of his mentor and training mate Eliud Kipchoge, who holds the world record at 2:01.40.
But Kamworor wants to carve his own niche and eclipse his predecessor especially after he set a new world half marathon mark clocking 58:01 in Copenhagen, Denmark. The previous record of 58:23 was set by Zersenay Tadese in Lisbon in 2010.
"It is very emotional for me to set this record," said Kamworor, who also won back-to-back world cross country titles in 2015 and 2017. "And doing it in Copenhagen, where I won my first world title, adds something to it."
Now he wants to be the first man to hold both the half and full marathon record in 2020. "I believe no human is limited just like Kipchoge said," said Kamworor. "I am ready for any challenge."
Kamworor, however, knows he faces a mountain to jostle Kipchoge off the apex because the Olympic marathon champion has always said that he can improve on his mark.
"Kipchoge has what it takes to take a shot at the current record, maybe when I finally get there, the record will be at 2:00:0. You never know and I will still go for it," said Kamworor.
Kipchoge himself has primed Kamworor as his heir-apparent because of his hard work and discipline in training.
"Kamworor is the man to watch. Everything is possible if we continue to embrace great planning, preparations, camaraderie, management and coaches," said Kipchoge. "He (Kamworor) broke the world half-marathon record, which is a good sign of good things to come."
With the new season not starting until February, Kamworor believes he will be ready for his assault, especially when the two meet in London Marathon in April.
"I have won three World Half Marathon Championship titles and my fans keep on asking me when I would go for the world record in full marathon," he added.
However, while the world record can wait, Kamworor is adamant to win the only medal missing in his collection, the Olympic gold.
"You know an Olympics medal is the one missing in my collection. That is why I want to work hard to be in Team Kenya. If I won't make the cut in the marathon team, then I have to ensure I qualify for 10,000 meters," he said.
