Multi-talented race-walker, Wachira, outlines busy 2021 season plan

Kenya Defence Forces (KDF) veteran race walker Simon Wachira, opened his 2021 season with a 15km race, finishing in 1:06.20 for second place in the second Athletics Kenya (AK) track and field weekend meeting.

Wachira, says the time he posted at the weekend meet, being his first competition in a while, is a good indicator that his training has been going on well and has expressed confidence in representing both the country and his employer at upcoming national and international events.

“I was part of National Olympics Committee of Kenya’s (NOC-K) first phase of training in preparation for the Tokyo Olympics qualification and I am happy the work I have put in those two weeks in camp has started to bear fruits. We are using the meets as part of our speed work training and that’s why the coach increased the distance from 10km in the first meet to 15km in the second one. In the third meet slated for April 2 and 3 we will go the full length,” explained the 36-year old.

After featuring at the third AK track and field meet next month, Wachira says he will shift his focus to the KDF championship slated for May before heading for the Africa Senior Athletics Championship and later Tokyo Olympics where he hopes to do better than his debut in 2016.

“In Rio, I had no experience of racing at such a high level and I made rookie mistakes but I have since learned from it. I suffered burnout early in the race after keeping up with the pace-makers which was something new in walking race for me. I am looking at 1:20 or better in the coming months so that I am assured of a good finishing at the Tokyo Games,” Wachira added.

Wachira, who started out as a volleyball player for KDF Gilgil-base side but switched to walk race after trying it out and realizing he was just as talented says his decision paid off as he can now compete internationally and his performance depends entirely on his training as it is a one-man show.

“I grew up loving sports and was participating in all manner of disciplines while growing up in Nanyuki. It was after joining KDF that I decided to stick to walk race as it was less crowded and I envisioned more personal success in the discipline,” he offered.