Eighteen-year-old Dennis Ruto is eyeing a place in the Kenya team for the 2024 World Under-20 Athletics Championships set for Lima, Peru.
Speaking during the official opening of Kapkoimur junior training camp, Rutto said he is ready to focus on athletics after clearing his Kenya Certificate of Secondary Education.
He said he had to concentrate on education before making inroads into running following advice from his elder brother Philemon Rutto, who is based in Japan.
“I want to continue running in the 3,000m steeplechase after finishing third at the Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association (KSSA) games. I have completed school and I want to venture into the running career fully and earn a slot into the Team Kenya for World U-20 championships in Lima, Peru,” said Rutto.
He said he missed a chance to represent the country this year because he was in class.
“I had a few challenges in running but now that I am out of school, I will concentrate on athletics fully. We need to prepare psychologically because the task ahead is huge. I promise to work hard and win a medal for the country,” said Rutto.
"I have learned a lot from my elder brother who also competes in the steeplechase and I am keen to follow in his footsteps,” said Rutto who sat for his KCSE examination at Matiliku High School in Makueni County.
“While I may love boos a lot. My brother has motivated me to take up athletics. He told me that in life there are two things— talent and education— and I need to capitalise on the situation,” he said.
Another junior athlete Judy Jepkoech is also keen to represent the country again after finishing fourth at the Africa Under 20 Championships in Lusaka, Zambia.
“Right now, what I want is gold from Peru. Now that we are in camp, training is going on well,” she said.
Deborah Chemutai is another junior athlete who is eying the Lima slot.
“In this camp, I have quality training time with qualified coaches and I see no reason why I shouldn't make the team,” said Chemutai
