BY MUIGAI KIGURU
The national triathlon team is relishing their first assignment of representing the country at the global level when they participate at the 20th Commonwealth Games later this month.
The national triathlon team is relishing their first assignment of representing the country at the global level when they participate at the 20th Commonwealth Games later this month. The team is made up of four athletes, two male and two female including Jesse Deboea, Swaleh Balala, Vincent Ochieng and Hellen Kinuthia.
They are currently engaging their final preparations at the Moi, Kasarani. The team will feature in three events, swimming, (1.5km), Cycling (40km) and running (10km).
“It is a dream come true for me to represent the country at such an international event,” said De Boer, a former hockey player at former Kenya Hockey Union side Sliders and sister to Enduro champion Alan de Boer. I have been seeking this chance for the last 10 years, taking part in various sports and am grateful that my time has come.”
“I know it is premature to talk about medals but I want to go there, learn from the best and as well perform to the best of my capacity,” added the 28-year-old. Renown cyclist, Kinuthia who is also 28, is equally elated to represent the country in Glasgow. “My focus is on making sure that I finish all the three events. It has been quite challenging juggling between my full time job-events organizing- and training but am focusing on the task ahead.”
The youngest in the group, Balala and who turns out to be the captain is interestingly the most experienced having competed in various competitions both at the national and continental fronts.
He has been the national champion since 2010 and sums up his ambitions by insisting: “I am going there to win, nothing else.” Balala hopes to make amends to his sixth place finish at the 2011 All Africa Games in Maputo, Mozambique. Ochieng, 28, says his worries are in his weakest of the three sports, swimming, which he believes he will have to work hard on if any good result is to come by.
“I am hoping to survive the swim since it’s my weakest of the three. Running is my strongest and am hoping to capitalize on it to post a good time,” said Ochieng.
Meanwhile Paralympics, who had a lukewarm show at the 2010 Delhi Games will be out to prove a point in Glasgow.
The team in which 13 only athletes attained the required classification will depart on July and return on August 4.
Caroline Wanjira, a finalist at the GreatLakes Games, will line up in T54 wheelchair category; with her sights on the podium.
“The training here is ok. We hope this favourable conditions will prevail until we conclude the residential camp.
We are learning new skills on how to push the chair,” said Wanjira, a finalist also at the All Africa Games.
Courtesy of the-star.co.ke