Commonwealth 800m champion Wycliffe Kinyamal is hopeful of a podium finish at this year's international competitions.
Although his heart craves for a world title in the two-lap race, the 2016 East Africa Junior Athletics 800m champion said he is keeping his options open considering he will also be expected to defend his Club Games title won in Gold Coast, Australia in 2018.
"I would ideally love to compete and win in Oregon because that's one title I am really dreaming of. However, it is too early to say which of the championships I will be focusing on. We also have the Diamond League season coming up and I may be invited. Therefore, I don't want to pre-empt anything at this moment," Kinyamal said.
Kinyamal was in action at the third leg of Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting at Nyayo Stadium, Nairobi where he finished fifth in the men's 400m final, timing 46.98.
However, he said that the two-day event was part of his preparations for major assignments and expressed optimism about better things in the races to come.
"As you know, normally I compete in 800m but I chose to run in 400m so as to sharpen my speed. Physically, I feel like I am in great shape. If I carry on with the momentum and improve on my performances then it won't be long until I reap the fruits. I trust in God that all this hard work will bear fruit," he said.
Even as he sets sights on glory in 2022, Kinyamal is however mindful of the unpredictable nature of the 800m men's race.
"At the moment, it is hard to tell who will be ruling this race or who is the most in-form athlete. Superstars keep emerging every day. You blink your eye for a second and before you know it, someone else is in the limelight. It is quite a competitive race," Shanghai Diamond League 800m champion said.
He added: "We have Emmanuel Wanyonyi (World U-20 800m champion) who has shown that he is more than capable of leading a new generation of runners from Kenya. As those who have been in this career for a while, we are praying for him and looking forward to his transition into the senior ranks."
Kinyamal further encouraged upcoming runners to maintain discipline in training and to work hard towards their goals.
