‘I am their father’ – young Anyango shares family responsibility as she aims for Olympic Games glory
2019 African U20 3000m silver medallist Emmaculate Anyango has revealed family obligations on her shoulders despite being 23 years of age.
As she continues to rise in the career ladder, Anyango has additional duties of taking care of her siblings and her mother who are based in Litein, Kericho County.
Given these responsibilities, Anyango said she is like a father and mother to her relatives, a duty she is proud to undertake.
“I am now like a father and a mother to my entire family in Litein, Kericho. That includes my mother and five siblings.
"I am a father to all of them, and I am happy to be like that to them. They are part of what motivates me to work hard in my training," Anyango told World Athletics.
As she juggles between family and career, her main aim is the upcoming Olympic Games in Paris, France, where she hopes to shine.
Focus
But her immediate focus is on the World Cross Country Championships, which will be held in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 30, 2024.
“Regarding my plans this year, I am really hoping I can get a medal at the World Cross Country Championships and another medal at the Paris Olympics.
“My year so far has started very well," Anyango, who finished second to Agnes Ng'etich at the Kenyan Cross Country trials on March 2, said.
At the World Cross Country Tour Gold race in Eldoret she was dominant as she led from gun to tape but her only worry was that Ng'etich, her closest rival and friend, was not there to challenge her.
“Agnes (Ng'etich) has been my favourite competitor. I wish she were running with me at the Sirikwa Classic Cross Country. She has been making me push my limits while running,” Anyango added.
She revealed her game plan, which helped propel her to glory at the Sirikwa Classic.
“Sometimes, you may decide to relax in a group waiting to unleash a finishing kick in the end, but then you are beaten by competitors with a better finishing speed.
"I now go to my races with my own plan. So, at the Sirikwa Classic, I went with my own race plan," she continued.
Anyango has participated in distances ranging from 1500m to 10,000m on the track and what she needs now is just good health.
“My mind is on the 10,000m, although I believe I am also able to do well in the 5000m event.
"I only pray for good health, and I believe I will be able to achieve anything I set my mind to this year," she concluded.
