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L. MathekaEkwam promises track comeback with a bang
Reading Time: 2min | Thu. 07.07.22. | 21:12
The Kitale-based athlete started competing in athletics while in Form 4 at Kapenguria Boys Secondary School
Kenya Defence Forces' (KDF) sprinter Zablon Ekwam has missed out on action in one of the busiest athletics years but his ambition of winning medals for Kenya still remains steadfast.
Last year, the Ndura Athletics Club athlete was the man to beat in 400m, announcing his arrival with a 45.65 victory at the first Athletics Kenya (AK) weekend meet in March 2021.
Ndura's Zablon Ekwam is back! Can't wait to see this kid on the track when @athletics_kenya track season begins. https://t.co/j1HZ1UPWja via @MozzartSportKe
— Matheka (@Lynmatheka) November 11, 2021
The Kitale-based athlete who started competing in athletics while in Form 4 at Kapenguria Boys Secondary School and went on to represent the country at the East Africa School Games in Musanze, Rwanda in 2018 was working on getting to the sub 45 ahead of the World Championships and Commonwealth Games.
However, a break from athletics as he went for military training at the Recruits Training School (RTS) in Eldoret took his foot off the gas pedal for a moment and he could not compete in the trials.
"I was having a good season before I went for training but I had to regroup upon completion and restrategise for next season. While I came back and still won some races during the AK meets this year, it was not possible to meet all the anti-doping requirements within the stipulated timelines so as to be included in the trials," explained Ekwam.
The Todonyang'-born athlete has steadily improved his time since making a return to the track. He won his heat at the first AK meeting this year held on 4 February in 47.94.
A month later he lined up for the third AK meet clocking 47.74 in the semi finals and 47.67 in the final.
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His latest competition was in June, at the Akii Bua Memorial held at Mandela Stadium in Uganda where he timed 46.79 in 400m and 21.23 in 200m.
"I am yet to hit my best form but I am getting there. I am back in training fully and steadily improving my time with each race," added Ekwam who harbours ambitions of breaking the national and world records in 400m.
The national record stands at 44.18 set by Samson Kitur at the 1992 Olympics in Barcelona while South African Wayde van Niekerk, holds the world record of 43.03.
