Jackline Nanjala will seek to lower her personal best when she competes in the 400m race at the Kip Keino Classic at Nyayo Stadium on Saturday.
Nanjala's best over the one-lap race is a 53.40 clocked during the African Games trials at Nyayo Stadium on March 6. She targets to go down by over a minute ( 52.30).
She will hope to upgrade her seventh-place finish from last year when she clocked 55.70.
"I am laser-focused on lowering my personal best and the Kip Keino Classic is the perfect arena for that,” said the 22-year-old.
She will battle the likes of Maureen Thomas and Mercy Chebet.
“A podium finish will be highly motivational for me. I am part of the relay team to the Bahamas and a good performance on Saturday will be instrumental,” she stated.
In the 4x400m relay team, she is joined by world 800m champion Mary Moraa, Chebet, Joan Cherono, Veronica Mutua, Vanice Kerubo, Thomas and Diana Chebet.
They have honed their skills at Nyayo Stadium under sprints coach Stephen Mwaniki.
However, she has one issue to address.
“I am working on improving my reaction off the blocks. I have been training to improve my start,” she noted.
Ultimately, she relishes competing at the Paris Olympic Games even though this will demand more than just 52.30 best. The qualifying mark for Paris over 400m is 50.95 by June 30.
“My main target this year is to qualify for the Olympics. To represent Kenya at such a stage will be a dream come true,” she added.