•Valencia Ibercaja 10km champion Daniel Simiu says he is aiming for the stars
•NPS's Eglay Nalyanya hopes to build on good performance at the World Indoor Tour
•The team are being tutored by 2008 Olympics 800m silver medalist Janeth Jepkosgei
Image: ERICK BARASA
Valencia Ibercaja 10km champion Daniel Simiu says he will be aiming for the stars when he competes in the 3,000m race at the World Indoor Championship in Belgrade this weekend.
Simiu said it is all systems go after months of training coupled with his participation in the World Indoor Tour events in February.
"I'm really excited to represent Kenya at the World Indoors Championship in Serbia and I thank God for the chance," the San Silvestre Vallecana 10km champion said.
"I am aiming to reach the stars and if I miss a star, then I grab a handful of clouds."
The Samburu-born will be undoubtedly buoyed by his performance at the Mondeville World Tour bronze level where he clocked a new course record of 7:42.93 on his way to victory in the men's 3000m last month.
As part of his preparations, he also competed at the Discovery Kenya Cross Country Meeting where he won the senior men's race in 30:14.0.
Similarly, Eglay Nalyanya said she is raring to go for duty in the Serbian capital and is hopeful the championships will be the perfect springboard for her attempt to clinch a ticket to the World Championships in Oregon in July.
"I will be using the competition to gauge myself ahead of other international events...that is outdoors. For me, the biggest international competition this year is the World Championship in Oregon," the Kuortane Games 800m champion said.
The National Police Service officer has been in scintillating form, finishing third at Meeting Hauts-de-France Pas-de-Calais World Indoor Tour event in 2:00.26.
She also finished second in the women's 400m at the third leg of the Athletics Kenya track and field weekend meeting, clocking 53.88 behind KDF's Linda Kageha (53.59) as fellow police officer Joan Cherono clocked 54.33 for third.
"My favourite moment was during the event in Pas-de-Calais, France in February where I clocked a personal best of 2:00.26. I want to build on that," Nalyanya said.
For 2018 World Under 20 5000m champion Beatrice Chebet, Belgrade presents an opportunity for a first medal at the senior level after success in Tampere, Finland, three years ago.
"I thank God for this opportunity to compete at the World Indoor Championships. I competed at the World Indoor Tour in February including in Lievin. I hope to work on my speed in addition to a good performance as I prepare for the World Championships," the Doha Diamond League 3,000m champion said.
The 10-athlete team, which also comprises national 100m record-holder Ferdinand Omanyala (60m), two-time world indoor 800m champion Collins Kipruto, 2x2x400m team relay silver medalist Naomi Korir and Ednah Jebitok, among others, departed the country for Serbia on Tuesday night.