Christopher Koskei

Christopher Koskei (also written Kosgei, born 14 August 1974) is a Kenyan runner who specialized in the 3000 metres steeplechase. He became known when he, running barefoot, won the silver medal at 1995 World Championships. After that performance, he was not able to improve his PB, having problems in his training in 1996 and 1997. In 1998 he ran only 8:48 minutes, and decided to stop running.

Christopher Koskei
Medal record
Men’s athletics
Representing  Kenya
World Championships
Gold medal – first place1999 Sevilla3000 m steeplechase
Silver medal – second place1995 Gothenburg3000 m steeplechase

But at the beginning of October 1998, he met in Iten the Italian coach Renato Canova, in Kenya for the first time together with his manager Gianni Demadonna. After a long talk, he decided to try again, following the new plan from the Italian Coach.

He was able to rebuild his shape, managing a very busy season (with 14 competitions), with the most important peak in the World Championships of Seville, when he became World Champion, four years after the silver in Gothenburg.

He is the elder brother of the current world record holder Stephen Cherono (Saif Saaeed Shaheen), who followed the same coach. Koskei has another brother, Abraham, who likewise follows the family tradition of steeplechasing.

International competitions
YearCompetitionVenuePositionEventNotes
1993 IAAF World Cross Country Championships 2nd Junior race 20:20
1st Junior team 10 pts
African Championships Durban, South Africa 2nd 3000 m steeplechase 8:24.58
1995 World Championships Gothenburg, Sweden 2nd 3000 m steeplechase
1999 World Championships Seville, Spain 1st 3000 m steeplechase
All-Africa Games Johannesburg, South Africa 3rd 3000 m steeplechase
Military World Games Zagreb, Croatia 3rd 3000 m steeplechase

Personal bests

See also


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