Manangoi ready for comeback after injury layoff

After a disappointing season that was rocked by injury, Commonwealth Games 1500m champion Elijah Manangoi is ready to roar again in 2020.

Manangoi could not defend his world title at the 2019 World Championships in Doha, Qatar after pulling out of the global championship owing to a nagging knee injury, and the athlete says that was his worst experience in the sport.

“It was a bad season for me last year. I sustained a knee injury and it was a big blow for me because I could have gone to Doha and defend my title as well as represent my country but it was not meant to be. I am happy that I have come back much stronger with my focus being the Olympic Games,” said Manangoi.

As he gears towards the Summer Games slated for July 24-August 9 in Tokyo, Japan, Manangoi believes last year’s setback will fire him to more success this year as it unfolded in 2017 where he won a gold medal at the London Championships after a poor show at the 2016 Rio Games.

“This maybe a blessing in disguise for me. I remember I lost in Rio and the following year I won a gold medal at the World Championships. So, I don’t know but maybe my absence in Doha maybe a gold in waiting in Tokyo,” the reigning African champion said.

Manangoi and the newly crowned world champion Timothy Cheruiyot have formed a formidable partnership that has seen the duo who train at Rongai Athletics Club dominate major races since 2017.