The 2023 national 400m champion Zablon Ekwam is bullish ahead of his 200m showdown at the sixth and final leg of the Athletics Kenya weekend meeting series at Ulinzi Sports Complex today.
Featuring in the 200m will be key to fine-tuning his form ahead of a hectic 2025 calendar.
"I am not going to relent. I want to fine-tune my form in the 200m. I recently set a personal best in the distance in Botswana and I am hoping to lower that time," Ekwam stated.
On April 12, Ekwam ran at the FNB Botswana Grand Prix, clocking 20.72 in Final Two to finish fifth.
South Africa's Sinesipho Dambile (20.01), Botswana's Busang Collen (20.13) and Gift Leotlela of South Africa (20.22) completed the podium.
With no 400m event on the programme, Ekwam will use the short sprint event as a crucial form-check.
“There’s no 400m on the schedule. This gives me the perfect opportunity to test my sharpness in the 200m,” he added.
The meet will feature 12 events — 100m/110m hurdles, 200m, 400m hurdles, 800m, 3000m steeplechase, 5000m, discus, pole vault, high jump, hammer throw, long jump and javelin — for both men and women.
Importantly, the meet is a build-up to the Kip Keino Classic on May 31, a Continental Tour Gold event.
"The race is important because it will act as a build-up for the Kip Keino Classic, which is around the corner," he added.
He urged fellow athletes to show up and assess their form.
"Let's not fear competition. I urge all other athletes to come out and compete in the final weekend meet to gauge where they are. You have to compete to know where you are," Ekwam stated.
Ekwam heads into today’s clash buoyed by his recent heroics at the World Relays Championships in Guangzhou, China, where he teamed up with Kelvin Tonui, Boniface Mweresa and Kelvin Kipkorir to qualify Kenya’s men’s 4x400m team for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The quartet shattered Kenya’s long-standing national record of 2:59.63, setting a new mark of 2:59.29 to finish fifth in the final.
South Africa (2:57.50), Belgium (2:58.19), and Botswana (2:58.27) completed the podium.
“It was a privilege to be part of the 4x400m relay squad. After missing the national record in Budapest and at last year’s World Relays, 2025 finally came with blessings,” Ekwam noted.
He hailed Kenya’s bronze medal finish in the mixed 4x400m relay — the country’s first podium finish at the World Relays since 2021 in Silesia, Poland.
"Kenya's name has now been placed on the global sprint map. It's been a long time since Kenya won a medal at the World Relays," Ekwam noted.
He believes the relay units have what it takes to bring more glory.
"With consistency and discipline, we will be able to achieve so much more," he noted.
In today’s 200m contest, Ekwam will face a formidable field featuring 2023 national 100m champion Hesbon Ochieng', Dan Kiviasi, rising star Dennis Mwai, Tyson Juma and Kelvin Tauta.
In the women’s 5,000m, Rebecca Mwangi will be chasing back-to-back victories at Ulinzi, having won the fifth leg in 32:28.17 ahead of Domtila Cheruto (33:10.8) and Miriam Kibet (33:22.15).
An explosive women’s 800m showdown is on the cards, with Olympian Vivian Chebet set to battle Naomi Korir, who is doubling up in the 5,000m.
The women’s 200m sprint will pit Laventa Amutavi — wife of African 100m record-holder Ferdinand Omanyala — against seasoned sprinter Millicent Ndoro and others, in what promises fireworks.
