The 2015 African Games silver medallist Boniface Mweresa believes the Cameroonian climate will be advantageous to him as he seeks to attain the Olympic qualification mark of 45.00 seconds in the 400m.
Mweresa will compete in the African Senior Championships today in Douala, Cameroon, alongside teammates Kelvin Tauta and Kelvin Kipkorir.
At the recent Olympic trials at Nyayo Stadium, Mweresa came close to the qualifying mark after clocking 45.68 seconds to finish second behind Kipkorir, who ran 45.42.
The 30-year-old is optimistic Cameroon’s weather will give him the necessary edge. “The weather in Cameroon is conducive for faster times. I came here with a 45.68 and I hope to lower it further in this competition,” Mweresa said.
Before the 2015 All-African Games in Brazzaville, Congo, Mweresa had clocked 46.2 at the Nairobi AK Relays. He went on to lower it to 45.01 in Congo, securing a silver medal behind Botswana’s Isaac Makwala (44.35) and ahead of Onkabetse Nkobolo (45.50).
“In 2015, I went to the African Games in Brazzaville, Congo with a time of 46.2 and improved it to 45.01 due to the favourable climatic conditions,” he added. A confident Mweresa believes he has a chance to qualify for the Olympics.
He said: “I have a high chance of qualifying. The races will be fast-paced because everyone is chasing the Olympic qualifying mark before the deadline.”
The qualifying deadline for the Olympics is set for June 30.
In the women’s 800m, Sarah Moraa aims to trim nine milli-seconds from her time to meet the 1:59.30 qualifying mark.
Moraa clocked 1:59.39 to finish third at the Nyayo Stadium behind Mary Moraa (1:59.35) and Lilian Odira (1:59.27).
“I want to do even better in Cameroon and lower my time for the Olympics. I have already secured a slot in Team Kenya after finishing third at the trials,” she stated.
She is confident of meeting the qualifying time and will be hoping to team up with Odira for a dominant Kenyan display.
“I am well prepared and I am confident I will make it. My body is feeling okay and up to the task ahead. We will team up with Odira to make sure we dominate,” Moraa added.
Moraa secured her spot in the team for the African Championships after finishing second in 2:02.36 behind Odira (2:02.21) during the trials held at the Ulinzi Sports Complex.
National team coach Julius Kirwa said despite the athletes focusing on their events, it is also paramount to focus on the relay events.
“We also want to ensure we qualify in the relays, especially the 4x100m and men's 4x400m. The 4x400m mixed relay has qualified but there is still the danger of being dethroned before the deadline.”
"There are other countries behind us eyeing our spot. We aim to do better and take position 15 which will guarantee Olympic qualification,” Kirwa stated.
The 4x400m mixed relay team clocked 3:11.88 during the Olympic trials to secure position 16. They dethroned the Czech Republic, who have a time of 3:11.98. Kenya aims to dethrone Italy who sit in position 15 with 3:10.69.