Triple African race walk champion Samuel Gathimba reckons nothing can stop him from storming a historic title at the upcoming Paris 2024 Olympics later in the year.
The seasoned race-walker punched a ticket to the coveted premier quadrennial global showpiece during last year’s World Championships in Hungary, where he ran a personal best of 1:18:34 to crack the top 10.
In an interview on Wednesday, Gathimba said he possesses the mojo to steer the nation to unprecedented glory in race walk.
“I’m working concertedly with my coach and I can confidently state that things are looking up for me,” Gathimba remarked.
“I have invested enough effort in training and I’m convinced I can make it to the podium and grab the gold for the country. I expect intense rivalry ahead but that isn’t causing me any sleepless nights at all,” he added.
Gathimba said he feels exhilarated after punching a ticket to the Paris 2024, noting that he is in the best shape ever to run away with the title.
“I have been training to achieve the goals I set at the beginning of the season and I’m satisfied with the strides I’ve made thus far.”
The multiple national champion, however, said he will first gauge his potential for Olympics at the upcoming All Africa Games in Accra, Ghana, where he will seek to garnish his rich trophy cabinet with another gold medal.
“I plan to participate in a host of events before the games to aid in preparations, including the All Africa Games in Accra, Ghana.”
In Accra, Gathimba will strive to replicate his past master-class acts, where he stormed the 2019 All Africa Games title in Rabat, Morocco.
“I will automatically be eyeing the top most honors in Accra,” Gathimba said.
His latest outing was at the third Athletics Kenya meet at the Nyayo Stadium last month, where he peeled away from a talent-laden field of competitors to blaze to the national title.
Gathimba said he has designed a special training regimen to hoist his performance to the desired levels, adding that he usually keeps his nose to the grindstone throughout the year to get himself in shape.
“I train back in the village and my training drills are continuous. I strive to improve my speed in training by walking as my pacemaker jogs to pile more pressure on me. We have managed to achieve incredible results by doing this,” Gathimba stated.
“I wish to thank my training partner David Kingori who has done a fantastic job helping me polish my act. I’m equally grateful to Emily Ngii,” Gathimba said.
