Athlete Kipsang Korir Collapses and Dies After Race in Cameroon
On Sunday, Kenyans received disheartening news as they discovered that marathoner Charles Kipsang Kipkorir had collapsed and passed away shortly after completing a competitive race in Cameroon on Saturday, February 24th.
As per reports from Cameroonian media, Kipkorir, who participated in the 29th installment of the Mount Cameroon Race of Hope, reportedly passed away during resuscitation efforts.
The athlete initially seized a strong advantage in the race but began to decelerate as he encountered challenges just meters away from the finish line.
Kipkorir ultimately secured the 16th position, as reported by Cameroonian Governor Bernard Okalai Bilia.
After crossing the finish line, the Kenyan athlete collapsed in what was suspected to be a heart attack.
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Medics on standby at the Molkyo Stadium administered first aid to stabilize the Kenyan athlete before he was rushed to Buea Regional Hospital.
“We cannot say exactly what happened. We might believe that it is something like a heart attack,” Bilia remarked moments after Kipkorir’s death was confirmed.
“We were informed that when he was going to collect his prize, he fell and collapsed. They carried him to the Regional Hospital, he had already passed away.”
Kipkorir was the star of the event, having been the first foreign athlete to register for the Cameroon mountain race, Africa’s oldest international athletic competition.
At the time of his passing, Kipkorir was 33 years old and at the peak of his career.
Kipkorir had participated in other races before including; the Bali Marathon, the Kuala Lumpur Marathon, and the Casablanca Half Marathon.
His death came barely two weeks after Kenya lost World record marathon holder Kelvin Kiptum through a road accident.
Athlete Kipsang Korir Collapses and Dies After Race in Cameroon