Tokyo lessons spurring Simiu ahead of busy calendar

Valencia Ibercaja 10km and national 5000m champion Daniel Simiu is hoping to make Team Kenya to the World Athletics Championships and the Commonwealth Games, having already punched his ticket to Mauritius. 

In his quest for medals in all three events that define the 2022 season for most of the Kenyan athletes, Simiu says he picked his lesson from Tokyo when he represented the country at the Olympics and has been battle-hardened. 

In Tokyo, Simiu who was expected to make the final tripped and fell in heat one and he was unable to recover well to finish in the top five for an automatic final slot. He finished tenth in 13:41.64. A much faster heat two saw him locked out as the remaining five fastest runners were selected of the second group. 

"I am happy to be in the African Championships team and after being crowned the national champion, I am hoping to be at the top in the continent too. A podium finish is the bare minimum and nothing can stop me," said Simiu. 

Before heading to Mauritius for the continental event, Simiu has another hurdle to qualifying for the Commonwealth Games. 

Athletics Kenya (AK) has set the invite-only trials for 20 and 21 May at Kasarani Stadium where Simiu will go up against some of his toughest competitors for a chance to be in Birmingham in August. 

AK whittle Senior Africa Championships team ahead of residential training

For the games set to be held from 28 July to 8 August at the Alexander Stadium, Birmingham, Great Britain, athletes must have attained the entry standards set by organisers. 

More importantly, athletes must have met all the antidoping requirements set by Anti-Doping Agency of Kenya (ADAK) as well as the Athletics Integrity Unit (AIU). 

The first two to across the line during the trials will automatically be selected. The third athlete will be determined by a panel of selectors. 

"I am chasing all the opportunities to represent the country at the major championship. I have already donned the Kenyan colours at the Olympics which was a disappointing outing. I fell down in the heats and missed my opportunity to fight for an Olympic medal. However, that was a lesson for me. I will go to Oregon and Birmingham wiser," added Simiu.