Full calendar for title-chasing Wanyonyi after police graduation

2021 World Under-20 10,000m race walk champion Heristone Wanyonyi is set to return to training next week ahead of a busy season as he looks to exit the junior ranks on a high.

After graduating from police college earlier this month, Wanyonyi has taken some time off to regroup before returning to training.

His coach Gabriel Otwane, in an interview with Mozzart Sport laid out the plans he has for Wanyonyi who will eye accolades both in junior and senior categories before making the shift to senior competition.

“In terms of fitness, I know he is in a good place as the training he has undergone has kept him in shape. We will then embark on speed and tactical training as we prepare for his first competition.

His first international target for this year is the Africa Athletics (CAA) combined fourth Under-18 Championships and the 15th African Under-20 championships will take place in Lusaka, Zambia from 29 April to 3 May 2023 where he will compete in the latter category,” Otwane explained.

Kibathi eyeing African junior title

As part of his build-up for the continental competition, Wanyonyi will compete in the Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field meets with Kisumu, the first leg of the series set to be his first.

“We will concentrate on track events as they give us the best chance at testing speed. He will, however, not feature in all six legs of the AK meets,” the tactician further explained.

The race walker also has his sights set on the Commonwealth Youth Games set for 4 to 11 August. The games were initially scheduled between 1 and 7 August 2021 but were postponed due to Covid-19. The 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games will be the first to be held since the death of the Queen.

It is likely to be a busy August for Wanyonyi as, depending on the schedule, he will also be eyeing the All Africa Games set for 4 to 19 August as well as the World Championships set for 19 to 27 August.