Silvia Kemboi at a past race/ TEDDY MULEI
After collecting continental honours in recent years, race walker Silvia Kemboi is aiming to take the next big step in her career by winning her first global medal for Team Kenya at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, which begin on Thursday.
The experienced race walker has built an impressive record on the African stage. She first made her mark by winning bronze at the 2022 African Senior Championships in Saint Pierre, Mauritius.
Kemboi clocked 1:39:40 to finish third in the women's 20km race walk behind compatriot Emily Ngii, who claimed gold in 1:34:30. Ethiopia's Yehualeye Beletew took silver in 1:35:48.
Determined to improve on that performance, Kemboi returned to the African Championships this year and upgraded to silver at the event held in Accra, Ghana, in May.
She crossed the finish line in 1:33:44, narrowly behind Ethiopia's Wubalem Shugute, who won gold in 1:33:31. Algeria's Souad Azzi completed the podium after clocking 1:34:28.
Having won bronze and silver at the continental championships, Kemboi is now targeting a breakthrough on the global stage.
"Kenyans should expect a medal from me. I will go there and push myself to ensure I secure a medal of any colour," Kemboi said.
Kemboi will be Kenya's sole representative in the women's race walk event after earning her place at the national trials on June 18 at Nyayo Stadium.
She dominated the 10,000m race walk, winning in 48:39.2 ahead of Viola Jepkemoi, who finished second in 49:53.4, and Caren Simiyu, who placed third in 50:54.5.
The Kenyan believes her performance in Accra has given her the confidence to challenge for a podium finish in Glasgow.
"In Ghana I fought hard for the podium against the Ethiopians, and that showed me I am strong," she said.
Beyond the Commonwealth Games, Kemboi has already set her sights on qualifying for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing and the 2028 Olympic Games in Los Angeles.
"My biggest target is to qualify for the World Championships and the 2028 Olympics," she said.
With the race walking season coming to an end after the Commonwealth Games, Kemboi plans to shift her focus to road racing as she builds endurance for the next campaign.
"I will try a 10km road race after Glasgow because the race walking season will be over," she said.
