For Mweresa, making it to the 400m finals is good enough

For Mweresa, making it to the 400m finals is good enough

The 2015 All-Africa Games 400m silver medalist Boniface Mweresa is optimistic of making it to finals in the Commonwealth Games slated for April 4-15 in Gold Coast, Australia.

The 24-year-old booked his ticket to the Games after emerging top at the Commonwealth Games trials held last Saturday at the Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani where he crossed the finish line in 46 seconds.

“If all goes well in  Australia, I m hopeful of reaching the finals since it is my first time to compete at the Commonwealth Games. And should I bag a medal, I’ll be grateful to God,” Mweresa said.

The Commonwealth debutant managed to reach the semifinals at the 2017 World Championships held in London, the UK in 45:93 seconds and this time around he will lead Kenya assault in Gold Coast alongside Collins Omae and Alphas Kishoyian who finished second and third respectively.

Mweresa is drawing inspiration from the 2015 World 400m hurdles champion Nicholas Bett and reigning Commonwealth javelin champion  Julius Yego who have defied the odds to emerge top in their events apart from the middle and long distance that Kenyans have dominated since time immemorial.

Joseph Pogisho (L), Boniface Mweresa (C) and Jared Momanyi competes in 400m race during the Kenya Defence Force Athletics championship 2017 at the Nyayo national stadium on May 10, 2017. Mweresa won the race.Photo/Oliver Ananda/Sportpicha

Mweresa also believes that Kenya is blessed with experienced coaches who can play a pivotal role in training upcoming athletes who can represent Kenya at different competitions.

“We have got experienced coaches and us (athletes) we have the potential to compete in any race. The only challenge we have is the shortage of facilities to use in our preparations but we can use the little that we have,” he said.

Mweresa will be using the chance to make amends after failing to shine in the 4 by 400 m relay at the 2012 Olympic Games in London, United Kingdom.

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Australia Gold Coast Boniface Mweresa All- Africa Games silver meddalist Boniface Mweresa targets finals in the Commonwealth

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