The 2021 World Under-20 800m champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi believes participating in the Athletics Kenya Cross Country weekend meets will offer the perfect build-up ahead of next year’s World Championships in Budapest.
Wanyonyi, 18, said he is also keen on the Diamond League meetings with an aim of improving on his speed and endurance.
“At the moment, I am participating in the AK meetings and I believe I’m doing well. I also want to participate in as many Diamond League meetings as I can before the World Championships,” Wanyonyi said, adding that finishing on the podium is his main goal.
The Form Three student at Kosirai Secondary School said his coach, Claudio Berardelli, is his greatest source of inspiration because of his training techniques and hard work.
“He is a good coach and he understands my body well. He is also my adviser,” Wanyonyi said.
He disclosed time management is his greatest challenge — balancing between training and school work.
“Striking a balance between school and training is tough. You have to plan well to avoid leaning more on one side,” he observed.
Meanwhile, Wanyonyi has enumerated the challenges he and other upcoming athletes face in their quest to reach the top.
Despite all, he said he has had the drive to keep pushing, adding that his resolve has seen him reap from his young career to even pay for his school and extend a helping hand to his family.
Winning the 800m race at the World Under-20 Championships in Nairobi remains Wanyonyi's biggest achievement thus, terming it as an answered prayer.
“I used to train alone since I didn’t have a coach or manager. No one wanted to help but I could not give up. Winning the 800m race at the WU20 Championships last year opened doors for many great opportunities,” he recalled, adding that competing at the World Championships in Oregon was an eye opener as he was able to gain experience.
In conclusion, Wanyonyi could not help diving into the now all-famous doping menace, saying: “The journey is not easy but abusing drugs only makes it worse. There’s no short cut to victory and athletes should learn to practice patience.”
