Racewalker Wangui braces for Under-20 Championships
Racewalker Loise Wangui is hoping to fly the Kenyan flag in this year’s World Under-20 Championships.
The youngster wants to emulate walkers like Grace Wanjiru, two-time African champion and national record holder Samuel Gathimba and African Games queen Emily Ngii who hail from Central Kenya.
Wangui missed the national team in last year’s world event held in Nairobi after finishing fourth in the national trials where only the top two racers secured slots in the team.
With less than four months remaining to this year’s championships in Cali, Colombia, Wangui has stepped up preparations ahead of the national trials slated for July.
“Last year I didn’t qualify to represent my country in World Championships but I am ready to make it this time around. I have tried to correct my mistakes and with the help of my coaches I am certain I will improve,” Wangui said.
“Last year I did my best but I think my greatest undoing was speed. It is something we are working on together with my coaches,” she said.
Having completed her secondary school examination this year at Malewa Secondary School, Wangui is dedicating most of her time on training.
“Now that I am out of school I think it is a big boost since I can now concentrate in my training,” said Wangui .
Head coach Francis Kamau said she has developed a formidable team that will challenge for slots at the national trials.
“We have some very good athletes in this camp who we are confident they will make the national team this year. First these athletes were selected through trials and secondly some of them have experience from last year’s event,’ he said.
