• Ekwam met the Olympic qualifying mark (45 seconds) after clocking 44.69 to place fifth during the Kip Keino Classic on April 20.
• Ekwam is determined to help the 4x400m mixed relay team secure their spot in Paris at this weekend's Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium.
Image: FILE
Zablon Ekwam targets the 400m final at the Paris Olympics.
"Making the Olympics was a dream come true. I now target to qualify for the final in the 400m," Ekwam revealed.
Ekwam met the Olympic qualifying mark (45 seconds) after clocking 44.69 to place fifth during the Kip Keino Classic on April 20.
Botswana's Leungo Scotch (44.54), USA's Bryce Deadmon (44.41) and Bayapo Ndori (44.10) of Botswana sealed the podium.
"After making the final, I’ll start dreaming of a podium finish. The competition will be tough but I’m mentally prepared for the challenge," he said.
Notable qualifiers for the men’s 400m include Olympic champion Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas (43.74), world champion Antonio Watson of Jamaica (44.13) and world silver medallist, Great Britain's Mathew Hudson (44.07).
Fierce African competitors like Botswana's Letsile Tebogo (44.29) and South Africa's Lythe Pillay (44.31) add to the intensity.
The 26-year-old is returning to form after contracting the flu at last month's World Relays Championships in Nassau, Bahamas.
The illness affected his training.
"I am not 100 per cent at the moment as far as my training is concerned. When you're getting back from an illness, the body tends to adjust slowly," he stated.
Under the guidance of coach Ian Dexter, Ekwam aims to optimise his remaining days before the Olympics.
"I am slowly getting back to my original shape. The remaining days will be crucial for my training. To polish on some of my weaknesses," he highlighted.
Ekwam is determined to help the 4x400m mixed relay team secure their spot in Paris at this weekend's Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium.
"My target is to help the 4x400 mixed relay qualify for the Olympics. It was a big blow for me and (Mary) Moraa not to compete in the Bahamas," he stated.
Ekwam pulled out of the mixed relay race due to the flu as Moraa withdrew.
The team finished fifth in 3:18.76 in Heat Two of the second day of the Olympic qualification rounds, missing out on the crucial spot.
"We have higher chances now of qualifying since I am ready and Moraa is available. We are confident the mixed relay will qualify," he added.
Ekwam alongside Wiseman Were, Kelvin Tauta and Boniface Mweresa shattered the African 4x400m record of 3:07.95 set by Nigeria in 2014 when they clocked 3:06.71 for fourth place at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland, on March 3.
He called for fans' support as more athletes seek Paris qualifying times.
"When the fans are around, the athletes get motivated to give their all. I urge the fans to turn up in large numbers, they will not be disappointed," Ekwam noted.