L. MathekaWanyonyi looking to exit junior athletics category on a high
Reading Time: 2min | Mon. 24.10.22. | 17:13
Wanyonyi clinched Kenya a surprise gold medal at the 2021 World Athletics Under-20 Championships held in Nairobi with victory in the 10,000m walk, becoming the first Kenyan to ever win the event in the history of the competition. He also became the first Kenyan to win a walk medal at any world championship.
Former World Under-20 race walking champion Heristone Wanyonyi is looking to make an impactful switch to the senior level by winning his last competition in the under-20 category.
The Kenya Police College trainee is expected to represent Kenya at next year's Under-20 African Youth Athletics Championships set for April.
The Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) has chosen Zambia to host the 2023 event set for 19 to 23 April 2023 with at least 50 African countries expected to participate.
More 🥇 for Kenya! 🇰🇪
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 21, 2021
Heristone Wanyonyi wins the #WorldAthleticsU20 10,000m race walk title in a personal best 42:10.84 🙌 pic.twitter.com/L6r0JpYsrt
Wanyonyi has his sight set on winning the 10,000m walking race and his coach Gabriel Otwane is confident the youngsters will be ready.
"He (Wanyonyi) has gotten over the disappointment of failing to defend his World Under-20 Championship title in Cali, Colombia and is training well.
The junior title came with alot of pressure and while it was not the results he was looking for, it was a learning experience," offered the tactician in an exclusive interview with Mozzart Sport.
Before heading to Cali, the youngster had qualified for the African Championships held in Mauritius, competing in the 20km race for the first time.
Kenya's bid to retain the World U20 10,000m walk race have suffered a blow after defending champion Heristone Wanyonyi was disqualified while Margaret Gati finished a distant 14th in the girls' category.https://t.co/izMYipR3Yw
— Mozzart Sport Kenya (@MozzartSportKe) August 5, 2022
After a grueling 17km, Wanyonyi suffered a devastating hamstring that saw him from off the competition while in third place as perenial title holder Samuel Gathimba went on to win in 1:22.04.
"This is his final race as a junior athlete and he wants to sign off in style. He has already started working on his transition to the 20km senior race and has, so far, been impressive," added Otwane.
With the trials for the continental youth championship set for March, his tactician has revealed that Wanyonyi will warm up for ut by competing in cross country.
.jpg)
"He has been included in the National Police cross country events scheduled for 6 January 2023 at Ngong Racecourse where he will be hoping to make the team for the national championship set for 21 January.
While this is for his preparation, going all the way to make the World Cross Country team would be an added advantage," Otwane said.
