Ndingiti: Walk Racing has changed everything for me

For any child raised in a humble beginning, it is their dream to change the situation for the good and that is no exception for Africa Under-20 10000m Race Walking champion Dominic Samson Ndingiti.

Born in Sensi location, Marani Sub-County Kisii County, Ndingiti is marching towards his dream of conquering the world in a race not many are accustomed to it.

His star may have started shining at the World Under-18 championships held in Kasarani where he bagged a bronze medal in a well-packed Moi International Sports Centre, Kasarani. However, his journey began long before.

“I started developing an interest in race walking while at Boroba Primary School in class four but it was not until 2015 when I was in class eight that I started competing,” said Ndingiti.

It was the same year that Ndingiti emerged top at the Nyayo National Stadium during the trials for the World Under-18 championships. He would, however, miss on the flight to Cali, Colombia after lacking the necessary paperwork.

Two years later and Ndingiti was on the podium after finishing third, a prospect that brought him to the public limelight.

Ndingiti would later finish seventh at the 2018 World Under-20 Championships held in Tampere, Finland after a competitor stepped on his shoe on the way.

“In fact, I was doing very well until one of my competitors stepped on my shoe which ultimately held me back,” Ndingiti revealed.

The 19-year-old would, however, bounce back to winning ways this year when he bagged his maiden gold medal at the Africa Under-20 championships held in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

“I thank God because I won gold in the final day of the competition and more so it gave us a win as a country in the continental stage,” said Ndingiti.

Ndingiti reveals that it is now time to try a notch higher as the senior category. He did so at the trials for the African Games where he came home third.

“Competing with seniors is never an easy task but I am contended with finishing third because that was my best I could offer,” he said.

Family Support

For Ndingiti, his talent has not only earned him the much-coveted medals, back in his backyard his family including his father Samson Ndigiti, his mother and her sister are now reaping the fruits of the exploits of their son.

“Life was very difficult for us because I was brought up in a humble background but for now things have changed a little bit, at least my family has earned recognition out of this sport. We can at least afford to earn an invitation for events unlike before,” reflected Ndingiti.

School Life

Being a form four student at Kiendige Secondary School in Nyamira County, Ndingiti opens up on how he strikes a balance between his academics and sports.

“It is not easy balancing education and sports but I have a lot of support from my teachers led by headteacher Dedan Otieno who ensures that I do not miss anything. When I go for any championships, I always carry short notes which come in handy,” added Ndingiti.

Being a teenager, Ndingiti concludes that his best is still coming and that his lifetime target is to one day break the World Record in the event.

“This is the sport I have loved since I was young and my the greatest achievement I am yearning for is to break the World Record,” he said.