Kinyamal plotting 800m coup

Commonwealth Games 800m gold medalist Wycliffe Kinyamal of Kenya is working on a long term plot to overhaul the current men’s hierarchy and top the world in 2022 when the World Athletics Championships are staged in Oregon, USA.

The 23 year-old stormed to the fore in 2018 when he upset a strong field to take the Commonwealth Games crown in Gold Coast, Australia. He set his personal best time of 1:43.12 over the distance in the same year and appeared to be the next big thing in men’s 800m.

However, that promise faltered dramatically as Kinyamal failed to live up to expectations in subsequent races.

Kibet banned for doping

After a year-long hiatus from rigorous athletics competitions the Trans Mara born athlete ran a tactical 1:46.09 race at the 3rd Athletics Kenya Relay Series in Nyayo stadium on Saturday 6th February.

He eased off going to the finish line and let the current World bronze medalist Furgeson Rotich to cross the line first. But you could tell Kinyamal had more gas in the tank to push for faster time.

“It has been a long team without the kind of competition that we were used to but I never stopped training. Competition sharpens an athlete and I’m happy things are coming back to normal. My focus is to improve on my performance and win everything I set out to achieve at the start of my athletics career,” said he after the race

Asked whether he is likely to rediscover the momentum that pushed him to gold medal in Gold Coast, Australia three years back the 23 year-old shot back with a grin.

“It is still too early but I have a work plan that I want to follow gradually up to the World Championships next year. By then I will be in shape for a world title shot. For now I just want to train and get into as many competitions so as to raise my level and gauge the field,” he added

Kinyamal is in the fray for World Relays and will be hoping to make Kenya Team for the rescheduled Tokyo Olympic Games.