Kwemoi looks to Chelsea's Kante to break Kenya's 43-year dry spell in 10k

As he readies himself for an assault at the men's 10,000m in Tokyo, national cross country champion Rodgers Kwemoi has been sourcing for inspiration from Chelsea's Ngolo Kante in his training. 

Kwemoi says he admires the French international's dedication to his craft and 100 per cent focus on the game whenever on the pitch — characteristics that the Commonwealth Games 10,000m bronze medalist applies in his running career. 

"He's a no-nonsense player and a diligent athlete. Whenever he has the ball, you can see he is focused on the target and on progressing the play forward. He is someone who I admire a lot for this focus and always try to emulate him  in my athletics career. Before, I used to idolise Eden Hazard but since he left for Real Madrid, my idol has been Kante," Kwemoi, an avid Chelsea supporter, said. 

Naftali Temu was the last Kenyan to clinch an Olympic gold in the men's 10000m at the 1968 Olympics in Mexico City and the country has hungered for too long for another gold in the long distance race. 

The task to break this hoodoo will be on Kwemoi's shoulders alongside that of former world half marathon record holder Geoffrey Kamworor and Weldon Kipkurui. 

It is no mean feat for the trio but Kwemoi believes they are well equipped to deal with it regardless of the threat posed by others, such as world champion and record holder Joshua Cheptegei of Uganda. 

"The training has been going on well and we are hopeful we will reap dividends in Tokyo. The pressure to give Kenya its first gold is undoubtedly there but God is in control and whatever is meant to happen will happen.  We are confident, having trained well and cannot wait to line up against others come that day," he said. 

The 2016 World Under 20 10,000m champion has come up severally against Kamworor, including in February this year when he triumphed at the Ngong Race Course to win the men's national cross country crown. 

In the same race, Kamworor bowed out whereas pre-race favourite and world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie finished second. 

However, this time round, the duo see each other as teammates united by a common purpose for which they have devised a winning strategy. 

"We have vowed to help each other to ensure each one of us gets a podium place. The plan is to run together up until the 7000m mark at which point if there is still a large pack sticking to us we'll devise a plan B," he said. 

Kwemoi admits he was gutted to have missed out on the Africa Cross Country Championships in Lome, Togo for which he had planned on clinching gold in the senior category. 

"I was unhappy when I heard that the event had been postponed due to Covid because at that moment I was in the form of my life. All in all, it does not matter now because I still managed to qualify for Tokyo, which was my ultimate dream. It is where my focus is on right now," Kwemoi said. 

His gold medal at the World Under-20 in Bydgoszcz, Poland remains the sweetest moment in his athletics career, which can only be topped by a great return at the Tokyo Olympics. 

Although he has previously stated his intention to transition into road races at some point in his career, Kwemoi says he still wants to bask in the glory of the track races and half marathon. 

After Tokyo, he plans to compete at the Valencia Half Marathon in Valencia, Spain. 

"Yes, my dream remains to compete in the full marathons but am not in a hurry to transition. I will take my time in the track races in addition to competing in the half marathons," Kwemoi said. 

With Kwemoi having spent a majority of his career in Japan, one would expect him to feel more "at home" than other Olympians in Tokyo.

He is grateful to the Far East country for the role it has played in his career development. 

"Japan has helped me in every aspect of my life, including training, financially and my development as a person. Whenever I am in Japan, I am able to access the best venues and gyms to improve on my speedwork such that by the time I return home to Kenya, I am in great shape," he explained.