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Samuel Wanjiru Kibathi crosses the finish line at last Saturday's national cross country championships in Ruiru. PHOTO/ERICK BARASA

Athletics

Young Kibathi salivating for African title after dominant win in Ruiru

NAIROBI, Kenya, Jan 25 – After clinching the national cross country title at the Under-20 level, youngster Samuel Wanjiru Kibathi is hoping to win more medals at this year’s Africa Under 18 and Under 20 Championships set for Lusaka, Zambia in April.

Kibathi clocked 0:23:12 to clinch the under-20 men’s 8km race, ahead of West Pokot’s Simon Maiywa (0:23:54) and North Rift’s Shadrack Rono (0:23:32) in second and third respectively, in what was a dominant performance at the Kenya Prisons Training College in Ruiru on Saturday.

“This year, I have prepared myself quite well and want to perform even better than I did last year. My immediate aim is to compete at the Africa Under 20 Championships in Lusaka, Zambia and I believe winning the national cross country title has inspired me a lot,” KIbathi said.

The youngster made his maiden appearance at the international level at last year’s World Under 20 Championships in Cali, Colombia where he finished sixth in the men’s 5000m.

Samuel Wanjiru Kibathi in action during the Under-20 men’s 8km race. PHOTO/ERICK BARASA.

The 18-year-old also competed at the Agnes Tirop Memorial Cross Country Tour Gold at Lobo Village in Eldoret where he finished fifth in the men’s junior race.

Kibathi, who is currently training in Ngong, said the experience garnered from last year came in handy for him in Ruiru in his pursuit of the national title.

“It was a good race although difficult. The muddy section was especially challenging but I had to do my best and wade through it if I wanted to win. Last year, I was at the national cross country championships and I finished second. This year, it was my plan to dominate the race from start to finish,” he said.

Also celebrating his accolade was Maiywa who noted that his second-place position is indicative of his improvement as an athlete.

“It is what I had hoped for…that I would get a podium position. Last year, I was at the Agnes Tirop Memorial Cross Country Tour where I finished fifth. When I look back to the previous season, I can say I have improved a lot on my speed although there are other areas I need to work on,” Maiywa said. 

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Both athletes will be expected to grace the Sirikwa Classic World Cross Country Tour, set for February 4 in Lobo village.

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