Mpoke books maiden World Championship ticket

Former 400m hurdles Youth champion Moitalel Mpoke has booked his maiden ticket for the World Championship slated for 15 – 24 July in Oregon USA and Commonwealth Games scheduled for 28th July – August 8th 2022.

Speaking to Mozzart Sport on Sunday, Mpoke was elated to clock a season-best of 48.84 seconds ahead of his teammate from Texas Track and Field James Smith II who settled for second place in 49.41, while Corde Long of Alabama took third place in 49.59 Seconds at the SEC Out Door Championships, Oxford, Mississippi.

“ I feel happy last weekend I clocked 48.99. When I came to compete here at Mississippi, I had two things in mind, that is; defend my title and qualify for the Commonwealth Games and World Championships,” said Mpoke.

Mpoke adds that missing out on the Olympics Games last year because of not meeting the anti-doping requirements, did not make him lose hope, instead, he decided to focus on the Commonwealth Games and World Championships.

“I felt sad. But I later saw other athletes being left out because of the same, I understood and started focusing on the coming events and it paid off. Now I am shifting my attention to the forthcoming regional and national championships, ” said the 600-yard world record holder.

Athletics Kenya, national youth chairman Barnaba Korir expressed his confidence in Mpoke’s consistency hoping that he will have a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham.

“Mpoke has risen through as Youth,U20, and transited to the Senior ranks. Immediately after World Under 20 in Tampere Finland he joined college in the USA to further his education which is a clarion call to our young athletes to combine both education and athletics. He is a very good example to the youth who aspire to be great athletes in the future,” said Korir.

Mpoke was motivated to compete in the one-lap distance by the late, 2015 World Champion Nicholas Bett.