Africa under 18 race walk bronze medalist Stephen Ndangili Kihu wants to leave a legacy in the junior level as he graduates to seniors next year.
Ndangili, who will be flying the Kenyan flag in the 10,000m race walk tomorrow at the ongoing World Athletics Under 20 Championships at the Estadio Atlético de la Videna in Lima, Peru, said that he will be competing with the purpose of leaving a legacy ahead of big challenge and challenge in the seniors.
“This being my last race in Under 20, I know there is another big journey ahead with longer distance in seniors, the challenge will be higher and I want to leave a legacy in the under 20. I want to leave a good profile for myself and the country at large,” said Ndangili.
He said that if he will make to the podium for a medal, which is his prayer and wish, he will graduate with pride and self encouragement that will be his reminder of his junior life.
“It will be a good history and for the future, whoever will be working will be targeting to beat my work,” he said.
He will be chasing to reclaim the title last won by Heristone Wanyonyi in 2021 when the championships were held in Nairobi.
“I have learnt a lot from his victory. The way he worked to the top it wasn’t easy. I have watched again and again just the way Samuel Gathimba did to secure their medals is amazing. I will be going for nothing else but the medal. Tomorrow, time doesn’t matter but a medal will count forever,” he said.
As the first race outside Africa at world athletics, he is anxious that he wants to work on.
“Today I cannot even train. I don’t want to see that track until tomorrow. This way I will survive the scare and I am optimistic that he will end his junior career on a higher note,” he said.
“It has taken a lot of time and energy to be here in Lima and I believe I have done what is needed and I am ready for the race tomorrow. I have worked both on endurance, speed, finishing and everything I could and that is why I have confidence that I will do well come tomorrow,” he said.
Other events tomorrow will include the 800m final for both men and women and 3,000m final.