Africa-Press – Kenya. Peter Mwaniki has set his sights on delivering Kenya’s first 5,000m Olympic title since 1988.
Speaking after winning the 10km title at the Kenya Defence Forces cross country championships at Ulinzi Sports Complex on Thursday, Mwaniki is confident of dominating the 12 and a half laps at the Paris Olympics set for July 26 to August 11 this year.
The 26-year-old said: “My dream is to represent Kenya at the Olympics. I am preparing to bring home the 5,000m gold medal.”
Kenya last won the title at the 1988 Olympics through John Ngugi.
The closest Kenya have come since is through Paul Bitok’s two silver medals from 1992 and 1996 and two-time Olympic marathon champion Eliud Kipchoge’s silver from the 2008 Beijing Olympics.
Mwaniki clocked 29:51.6 followed by Dismus Lokira (29:54.0) and Daniel Mungut (29:56.3).
Mwaniki, who finished third at the Valencia 10km race in Spain, clocking 26:59 on January 14, said the Spanish was a timely motivation ahead of the KDF contest.
“The Valencia race helped me a lot in terms of experience as well as erasing the fear. That’s how I was able to conquer this course,” he said.
He was, however, wary of former world half marathon record holder Kibiwott Kandie, who was gunning for a fourth consecutive title.
Kandie could not keep up with the pace, however, finishing fifth in 29:59.4.
“I felt Kandie would be the champion again but I am happy that I beat him to the title,” Mwaniki noted.
Winny Chemutai of Isiolo Barracks ran from gun-to-tape to clinch the women’s title in 33:25.8.
Chemutai hopes to make Team Kenya to the Africa Cross Country Championships in Tunis, Tunisia, on February 25 or the World Cross Country Championships in Belgrade, Serbia, on March 30.
“I was not expecting to win today but through God’s grace, I was able to,” she said.
Cynthia Chepngeno timed 33:26.2 for second as Diana Chepkorir wrapped up the podium places in 33:42.5.
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