Renato Canova

Renato Canova is an Italian athletics coach. He coaches the Kenyan born Qatari 3000m Steeplechase world record holder Saif Saeed Shaheen, 10,000 meter runner Nicholas Kemboi (26'30"03), Dorcus Inzikuru (World Champion in 3000mSC in 2005), Moses Mosop (bronze in WCH 2005 in 10000m and silver in WCCH 2007, and World Record Holder of 25000m with 1:12:47.4 and 30000m in 1:26:25.4 in 2011), Florence Kiplagat (World Cross Country Champion 2009 and World Half Marathon Champion 2010), Wilson Kiprop (World Half Marathon Champion 2010 and best performers all-time for 10000m in altitude with 27'26"), Silas Kiplagat (3'29"27 in 1500m and silver medal in WCh 2011), Sylvia Kibet (silver in WCH 2009 and 2011 in 5000m), Imane Merga (World Cross Country Champion 2011 and bronze medal in 10000m in WCh 2011), and Abel Kirui (World Marathon Champion 2011).

He is one of the most successful coaches in the world, his athletes have won many medals in top international middle and long distance competitions. Some of his world champion athletes include Christopher Koskei (3000 m steeple) in 1999, Paul Kosgei (Half Marathon) in 2002, Saif Saaeed Shaheen (3000 m steeple) in 2003 and 2005, Dorcus Inzikuru (3000 m steeple women) in 2005, Florence Kiplagat (Cross in 2009 and Half Marathon in 2010), Wilson Kiprop (Half Marathon) in 2010, Imane Merga (Cross Country) and Abel Kirui (Marathon) in 2011. At the 2010 IAAF World Half Marathon Championships in Nanning, his athletes Florence Kiplagat and Wilson Kiprop became world champions in the period of 22', a record for an athletic coach. In the 2011 Boston Marathon Moses Mosop recorded the fastest debut performance of all-time, running the second best Marathon time in history in 2:03:06. Mosop also, on the 3rd of June 2011, bettered the WR of both the 25000m (1:12:25.4) and 30000m (1:26:47.4) in Eugene, Oregon

During 2007, his athletes obtained silver medals in the World Cross Country Championships with Moses Mosop, and in the Marathon of the World Championships in Osaka with Mubarak Shami.

He was previously responsible for the Italian Marathon Team from 1987-1998 alongside Luciano Gigliotti. His athletes in this period included Ornella Ferrara (bronze medal in World Marathon Championships 1995), Maria Curatolo (bronze medal in World Road Race Championships 15 km in 1987, and silver medal in European Championships 1994 in Marathon) and Maura Viceconte (bronze medal in European Championships 1998 in Marathon).

He is lecturer of IAAF, and is frequently invited to speak in International Congresses about the methodology of training.

Canova advocates extensive hill work mixing technical exercises, sprinting up hills (circuits) and short uphill sprints for strength. His methodology about marathon training advocates high intensity of the extension, with great modulation between hard sessions and recovery days.

References

• Interview: Renato Canova from Men's Racing
• Renato Canova: The Wizard From Italy from Running Times