Zablon Ekwam/ FILEOlympian Zablon Ekwam is eyeing a statement performance at the World Championships in Tokyo, determined to anchor Kenya’s formidable men’s 4x400m relay squad into the medal conversation.
Set for his second appearance on the global stage, the quarter-miler is determined to etch his mark against the world’s finest.
Ekwam will line up alongside veteran sprinter and sprint team captain Boniface Mweresa, Allan Kipyego, Dennis Masika, David Sanayek and Kelvin Kiprotich, forming a unit that blends experience, speed and hunger.
The first contingent of Team Kenya touched down in Tokyo on Tuesday, with Ekwam boldly relaying the squad’s intent.
"Team Kenya has touched down in Tokyo. A long journey, but the mission is clear: to represent our nation with pride and focus," Ekwam shared.
He noted the hunger of the 4x400m squad to flex muscles against the world's top guns.
"The 4x400m crew are focused, hungry, and ready to roar on the world stage."
Kenya’s relay hopes will be tested by a formidable cast of rivals, including giants USA, African powerhouse Botswana, France, Belgium, Netherlands, Japan and South Africa.
America is the most successful nation in the global bonanza with 12 titles.
They are also the world record holders with a mark of 2:54.29 from Stuttgart 1993.
South Africa hold the fastest time in the world in 2025 with a time of 2:57.50, with Belgium (2:58.19) and Botswana (2:58.27) in tow. The times were set at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, in May.
The men’s 4x400m starts with the heats on September 20 and concludes a day later.
Ekwam had a tough Worlds debut at Budapest 2023, where, alongside Kennedy Kimeu, Kelvin Tauta and Wyclife Kinyamal, they clocked 3:01.41 to crash out in the heats.
The US went on to claim the crown in 2:57.31, with France (2:58.45) and Britain (2:58.71) completing the podium.
However, the Kenyan squad will be buoyed by the national record they set during the Guangzhou World Relays.
The quartet of Kelvin Kiprotich, Ekwam, Mweresa and Kelvin Kipkorir clocked 2:59.29 to place fifth in the final.
Ekwam’s individual form in 2025 fuels that optimism.
He started the year at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 12, clocking 20.72 to place fifth in the 200m.
He won the sixth Athletics Kenya weekend meeting on May 16 in 20.56 and won the 400m race at the Bua Memorial Invitational in Uganda in 45.97.
At the Kip Keino Classic on May 31, Ekwam clocked 45.01 to place third in the 400m, trailing South Africa's Zakithi Nene (43.76) and Nigeria's Chidi Okezie (44.98).
The highlight of his 2025 campaign was during the national championships where he dominated the 200m, winning in 20.47 to beat Africa's fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala (20.53) and Dennis Mwai (20.73).
