Hammer-thrower Abunda out to fly Kenyas flag high in Gold Coast

National hammer-throwing champion Dominic Ogindi Abunda says his target is to fly the Kenyan flag high in the forthcoming Commonwealth Games slated for Gold Coast, Australia.

In an interview with Citizen Digital, Abunda who has been holding the Kenya Defence Forces Championship crown since 2015 expressed his delight in taking part in the competitions, adding that his desire is to bring home the glory.

Abunda believes that impressive performance at the Commonwealth Games will go a long way in shaping his career.

“I started my career back in 2008 during my high school days in Suneka and it shaped up when I joined the Kenya Defence Forces in 2014 and that is when I won my first national award,” Abunda said reminiscing his early days with the sport.

Abunda has not participated in any international event since 2011 but is relishing the challenge that awaits him in Gold Coast.

In fact, the Kisii born is more than eager to take on acclaimed world stars at the game, confident that he can do well.

In 2011, Abunda competed at the Junior Championship in Gaborone, Botswana, but didn’t finish in the medal category.

And at the Commonwealth Games, Abunda reckons that the goal is to throw at least 65 metres, which, to him, will be a great improvement on the current Kenyan record which stands at 59metres.

Meanwhile, Abunga wants Athletics Kenya to do more to grow the sport. “We need to better our skills in the sport. The government can facilitate us with gym facilities and other training equipment that will be a great advantage to hammer throwing fraternity,” he said, adding that, “we also need to have good coaches to train us more often so as to gain the experience.”

Kenya will be represented by 131 athletes in Australia from various disciplines and expectation is high that they will post an improved performance compared to 2014 in Glasgow, Scotland when Team Kenya bagged 25 medals; 10 gold, 10 silver and five bronze –to finish ninth.