|
Getting your Trinity Audio player ready...
|
Team Kenya from the just-concluded World Athletics Relays returned home early today following a successful outing in Guangzhou,China where they secured three tickets for this year’s World Athletics Championships, as well as a bronze medal in the 4 by 400 mixed relay.
Speaking on arrival at the JKIA, team captain Boniface Mweresa, who led the 4x400m men’s team in setting a new national record, called on Athletics Kenya to ensure they embark on early specialised training ahead of the Tokyo World Athletics Championships in September.
“This was my first time captaining Team Kenya, and I am happy with the results; we got three national records, three world championship tickets and a bronze in the 4x400m mixed relay, said Mweresa.
Mweresa said his focus now shifts to securing a world championships ticket in his individual 400m race.
“My next big assignment for now is to qualify for World Championships in 400m in addition to the 4x400m. We need to work on the button exchange between now and September,” added Mweresa.
Athletics Kenya Senior Vice President Paul Mutwii, who was the head of the delegation, revealed that they intend to send the team for a residential training camp in Miramas, France, ahead of the September world championships.
“We did well in China; three out of four teams set national records and qualified for World Championships in Tokyo. As a director of competition, we will recommend that the team train out of the country in preparation for the World Championships.”Mutwii said
His sentiments were echoed by team manager Kennedy Tanui, who called on the government to give the team full support and adequate preparations, which will spur it to good results during the World Championships in September.
“We hope the government will help the team get special training in Miramas, France, before the World Championships since it has the state-of-the-art facilities, unlike here in Kenya.” Tanui said
Kenya secured three world championship tickets in the 4x400m men’s, the 4x400m mixed and the 4x100m men’s and a bronze medal in the 4x400m mixed relay.
The 4x400m mixed relay team of David Sanayek, Mercy Chebet, Brian Tinega and Mercy Aoko posted a season’s best time of 3:13.10 to grab a bronze medal, Kenya’s only podium finish at the championships.
The team also set three national records during the two-day World Relays in Guangzhou, China.
