Two time Africa Walk 20km champion Samuel Gathimba has set his eyes on Commonwealth Games and World championships when he lines up at the 2022 World Race Walking Team Challenge that will be held in Oman.
The Commonwealth Games 20km walk bronze medalist also the 2019 All Africa Games 20km walk champion said that the Oman championships set to be held on 4th and 5th April will give Kenyan walkers a chance to compete at the international events without questioning their qualifying standards.
The two time Africa Athletics 20kjm walk champion said that it is an opportunity for Kenyan walkers to make their talents known across the world because international judges will be there to judge their walking ability.
“This is a great opportunity for Kenyan walkers who have a chance to walk around the world and get that qualifying time, which is standard. Through these championships, we shall be walking across the world,” said former All Africa Games 20km race walk silver medalist.
Coming from Nyeri, Gathimba who won the bronze medal at the Commonwealth Games held in Gold Coast, Australia said that Kenyan athletes failed to compete at the Olympic Games because there were no international judges.
“For us to compete at the major world events, we must have an international judge. This is an opportunity and we don’t want to repeat the same mistake that happened a year ago. At the Oman championships, we shall have international judges that can make us compete at both Commonwealth Games and world championships,” said former Africa Athletics championships 20km race walk silver medalist.
Gathimba won the Africa championships title in 2016 and defended his title in 2018 moved to Nyeri and has been training in the Aberdare Hills for his strengthening.
“My training has been going on well here and I am ready for the Race Walk championships and training in Aberdares gives me that energy to compete well at the world events,” said Gathimba.
Gathimba is expected to face off with Africa under 20 10,000m champion Samson Dominic Ndgiti and Simeon Wachira in the 20km race while World under 20 10,000m champion Heristone Wanyonyi who will compete in junior ranks (10,000m),
Former national champion Erick Shikuku will be representing masters’ walkers while Emily Ngii is the only lady in the team and will be competing in the 20km distance