M. KisengeKandie eyes Budapest qualification after triumphing in the National Athletics Championships
Reading Time: 2min | Fri. 23.06.23. | 19:12
The World Athletics Championships are set for August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Commonwealth Games 10000m bronze medalist Kibiwott Kandie says triumphing in the National Athletics Championships is a sign of good things to come as he aims to build on the confidence derived from the win and seal a ticket to the World Athletics Championships trials set for next month.
Kandie coasted to victory after clocking 27:52.69 in the final staged at the Nyayo Stadium on Friday on day two of the national championships that are scheduled to end on Saturday.
The Kenya Defence Forces runner finished ahead of Shedrack Rono, who timed 27:57.07, and Stanley Njihia who settled for third place after crossing the line in 28:02.01.
The 2018 World U20 5000m champion Edward Zakayo placed fourth after clocking 28:03.32.
With the World Athletics Championships trials set to be held between July 14-15 at Kasarani Stadium, Kandie says the victory in the nationals will inspire him to secure a ticket to the Kenyan team to Budapest and ultimately a medal at the global stage.
“I came here to see how the body reacts ahead of the World Athletics Championships that are just around the corner. I am satisfied that I am heading in the right direction. The field was strong but didn’t tense at all. I stuck to my strategy and I am happy with the time I registered,” he said.
Kenya is yet to win a gold medal in the World Athletics Championships since 2001 but Kandie is promising to bring the long wait to an end should he qualify for this year’s edition set for August 19-27 in Budapest, Hungary.
Charles Kamathi is the last Kenyan male athlete to win gold in the 25-lap race as he cruised to victory in Edmonton Canada.
“My goal is to qualify and bring a medal home. There is no need for me to go to Budapest and fail to medal. I have a big task ahead of me if I am to achieve my target. As a country we have been struggling to medal at the global stage but I believe this time round, if we embrace teamwork, we will deliver massively,” said the World Half Marathon silver medalist.
Kenya mined silver in the past edition held in Oregon as Stanley Mburu was tucked in between the Ugandan duo of Joshua Cheptegei and Jacob Kiplimo.
While Kandie reigned supreme in the men’s race, his colleague from the KDF Irene Kimais won in the women’s category after clocking 31:56.37.
Catherine Releen and Ruth Chepngetich finished second and third after timing 31:57.70 and 32:0987 respectively.
