Former World Under-20 race walk 10,000m champion Heristone Wanyonyi said he has been working hard to cut weight as he seeks to return to his best ahead of the African Games set for March.
Wanyonyi believes revealed that he had ballooned especially after joining the National Police Service last year and he has been hard at work to reduce weight.
The West Pokot athlete was speaking after making the qualifying time (1:28.00) in the 20km walk during the second leg of the Athletics Kenya Track and Field weekend meeting at the Ulinzi Sports Complex in Nairobi.
“It has been a long journey to beat this time. After joining the Police Service, it took me more than a year to cut weight and make it back to the top. Now all my focus is on the Africa Games in Accra, Ghana and I want to work hard and ensure I return home with a medal,” said the General Service officer based at the headquarters.
He said he had embarked on serious training, focusing on endurance and speed work ahead of the African Games.
Wanyonyi won the 20km walk race in 1:28.00 to earn himself a ticket for the Accra games planned for March 8-24. “I wanted to make the team to the games to ensure I compete both at the continental and global stages,” he noted.
Wanyonyi beat former Confederation of Africa Athletics Under 20 10,000m race walk champion Samson Dominic Ndigiti (1:30.20) to second place with Kenya Defence Forces walker Peter Theuri completing the podium in 1:37.14.
He said he also has his eyes fixed on the 2024 Paris Olympic Games in August and the World Athletics Race Walking Team Championships in Antalya, Turkey among other events.
The Antalya event is set for April 21 and it is expected to attract top athletes. The event will feature a mixed relay, where four runners will be cover 42km.
