Ekwam promises quicker times ahead of Olympics debut

Olympics-bound Zablon Ekwam is looking to lower his personal best (PB) time of 44.69 seconds in the 400m ahead of the Summer Games slated to begin on 26 July.

Ekwam celebrated two milestones in finishing fourth in the men's race at the fifth Kip Keino Classic held on 20 April, setting his PB and going under the 45-second Olympics qualifying mark.

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The Kenya Defence Forces’ (KDF) athlete who had been part of the Kenyan squad that registered an African record in the 4x400m relay barely a fortnight before his best time says a better time would guarantee him a good show on his debut.

“I am yet to begin my training officially for Paris as I am still recovering,” Ekwam, who missed the World Relays despite travelling with the squad after being diagnosed with a bad flu opened up. “I still have time so I am not rushing my body as I have to be in the best shape health-wise to push my limits on the track.”

While he admits he would want to see Kenya take advantage of the remaining days to qualify the 4x400m team for the Games, the 26-year-old has already set his targets for Paris in the individual race.

“My current PB is a world-class time no doubt. But I have more in me and I want to hit better form ahead of the Games. However, my target in Paris is to have good competition.

The pressure of setting time and medal targets is unnecessary at this point as I am on my debut. My current time would have put me in the final at the Tokyo Olympics so if I could go quicker ahead of Paris I can be confident of a good outing,” Ekwam explained.

The athlete has called on Athletics Kenya (AK) and the Sports Ministry to accommodate their needs and keep Nyayo Stadium open as a compliment to the already overflowing Ulinzi Complex.

“All we need are the right facilities to be availed to give ourselves the best possible chance at victory in Paris. For sprinters especially, we need the track to train. Right now it is getting increasingly difficult and that could affect preparations,” he offered.