NAIROBI, Kenya, Mar 10 – Kenyan long distance runner Gedion Rono remains confident that he will win the ticket to represent the country at this year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary despite the threat posed by seasoned athletes in the 12-and-a-half lap race.
The 19-year-old insists it has been long time since he last wore the national team singlet and that nothing will get in his way of his ultimate dream for this year.
“From where I sit, the key to hacking this race is to train well and ensure you are in good shape physically. If you have all these, then there’s no need to fear anybody. Everybody has their own way of training but at the end of the day, it’s all about planning yourself well,” the Japan-based athlete said.
The men’s 5000m promises to be a cracking battle at the national trials for the global showpiece with the likes of world junior Cross country champion Ishmael Kipkurui, Commonwealth Games 5000m silver medalist Nicholas Kimeli, World 5000m silver medalist Jacob Krop and Commonwealth Games 10,000m silver medalist Daniel Simiu, among others, expected to contest.
Nonetheless, Rono – who has been in Japan since 2020 – noted that he has come back home a stronger athlete and believes he is more than capable of holding his own against his elite counterparts.
“It has been so long since I represented Kenya in an international competition because all that time I have been in Japan running for my employer. Now I am back home and all I keep thinking about is a place at the World Championships,” he said.
Rono put the money where his mouth his on Friday afternoon when he clocked 13:41.00 to win the men’s 5000m at the third leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field Weekend meeting at Thika Stadium.
Another Japan-based runner, Samuel Kibathi came second in 13:46.4 as Dismus Lokira timed 14:05.08 in third.
Rono gave himself a pat on the back for a fruitful day in the office, noting that he was always confident his work in training would pay dividends.
“I had prepared myself quite well and worked on my speed as well as endurance. So, I came here today confident of myself because my body was in peak condition. I watched all the other races and it’s safe to say that my time was the fastest,” he said.
