Cherono training guns on 2019 World Relays

Sprinter Joan Cherono is eyeing a slot in Team Kenya for the 2019 IAAF World Relays set to be held in Yokohama in May next year.

Cherono, who specializes in the 100m and 200m races, said she has stepped up preparations as she bids to make the cut for the biennial competition.

“First I would like to thank my coach Pamela Talam because she is the one who has really pushed me. For now I have started training with the next year’s World Relays in mind.  My aim is to once again represent Kenya,” Cherono told Citizen Digital.

The 24-year-old earned a ticket to the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Australia where she reached the semi-final stage finishing seventh in her heat in a time of 25.10 which was not enough for her to qualify for the finals.

She would later represent Kenya at the 2018 African Championships in Athletics held in Asaba, Nigeria where she was unfortunate not to compete in the 100m and 200m events owing to delays that held team Kenya at the Lagos airport due to logistical failures of the host nation.

Despite missing the two events, Cherono would later team up with Eunice Kadogo, Millicent Ndoro, and Fresha Mwangi to bring home a bronze medal in the 4x100m relays in a time of 45.58 behind Cote’d Ivoire and hosts Nigeria who finished first and second respectively.

Although she was named as a reserve in the 4x 400m relay team, Cherono did not participate as the   Kenyan quartet went on to clinch silver in 3:35.3 behind Nigeria (3:31.19) in the final day of the competitions.

The law enforcer is now eyeing a strong performance in the Athletics Kenya (AK) Track and Field meetings in order to make the cut with her target being to participate in the 4x400m race.

“I have to work hard in order to join the team since it is not that easy but with the experience I had in Australia and Nigeria, I think I can do well,” added the Nakuru-based sprinter.

With the 2020 Olympic Games also looming large, Cherono hinted that she will be switching to the 800m as she strives to earn a medal at the international front.

“I will not remain in sprints for so long, I am shifting slowly to the 800m which is my main target heading to the 2020 Olympic Games,” revealed Cherono.