Sawe underlines season target as he braces for World Championship

African High Jump champion Mathew Sawe has set sights on improving on his personal best (PB) as he braces for a busy season ahead that will culminate in the World Championships slated for Doha, Qatar in September.

Sawe currently holds the national record in high jump that stands at 2.30m — which is also his PB —  set last June after shattering his earlier record of 2.25m that had stood for close to five years.

Although he managed 2.15m at the 2018 Gold Coast  Commonwealth Games, he could not make it to the finals for a second successive edition after failing to impress in the 2014 Games held in Glasgow, Scotland.

The 30-year-old would however bounce back in the Africa Championships held in Asaba, Nigeria where he managed to retain the title he had won in 2016 in Durban, South Africa.

With the Diamond League competition set to begin May, Sawe is eager to get going as he begins his quest for All Africa Games title and later the World Championships.

“I am set to begin my season in the Diamond League as I prepare for All Africa Games and thereafter, I will think about the World Championships. When it comes to my PB, my target is to hit 2.35 mark,” Sawe told Citizen Digital.

With Kenya known for her prowess in track, Sawe has however urged the government to invest in field events which have for long  been seen as a preserve of the West. He argues that with enough facilities and training personnel Kenya is capable of doing well in the field events.

“We have many talents in the field events like Javelin, Shot put among others, only that we need to invest in the facilities and the coaching staff. If we could address the two issues then I think we will be at par with other European nations,” noted Sawe.

Above all, Sawe is keen is to make a mark in this year’s Championships after failing to represent Kenya in the 2017 championships held in London, United Kingdom.

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Doha Qatar Personal Best World championship African High Jump Mathew Sawe

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