Nyakeruri dreams of featuring in javelin at Olympics one day
National women javelin champion Damacline Nyakeruri draws her inspiration from world Champion Kelsey-Lee Barber, as she hopes to realise one of her biggest dreams, competing at the Olympic Games.
Objectively assessing her chances, the National Police Service officer admits that the postponed 2020 Tokyo Games due to take place in less than three months will most likely go on without her, mainly because she is way off the qualifying mark of 64m, a target that is becoming difficult to achieve mainly due to lack of opportunities for exposure and competition.
“Training is going on great for me so far despite the challenges brought about by lack of facilities and lockdown due to covid-19 pandemic.
I believe it’s every athlete’s dream to compete at the Olympics, so I will continue pushing myself to make that a reality,” shares Nyakeruri with positivity.
It was while at Igorera Secondary School,located in Bomachoge Borabu Constituency in Kisii County that Nyakeruri got extra motivation to venture more into the sport.
“Back in high school, I was good in many sports but soccer and athletics topped it all.
Weighing my options, throwing was my favourite, I decided to give it a shot,” ponders the national champion.
Having been to three international competetive events, Commonwealth Games and Africa Senior Games both in 2018 as well as All African Games in 2019 the athlete with a personal best PB of 51.42m, remains certain she can throw further.
She attributes her PB to exposure that came after attending an invitational event in Mauritius two years ago.
“I know the importance of taking part in international competitions. I was part of the team Athletics Kenya sent to Mauritius International meet in 2019.
