Former 400m national champion Zablon Ekwam has lined up two races in Europe as he ramps up preparations for the Paris Olympic Games.
The 26-year-old will race at the 27th Moore Guldensporen Meeting in Kortrijk, Belgium, on July 13 and at the Meeting D’Estate in Castelnovo ne’ Monti, Italy, on July 17.
Ekwam believes strong performances in these competitions will help determine his readiness for Paris as well as inform what to put into his final preparations.
“The Belgium and Italian meets will gauge my readiness for the Paris Olympics," said Ekwam, who has domiciled his preparations at the Moi Stadium, Kasarani, ahead of his Olympics debut.
He has narrowed down his preparations into speed, endurance and mental toughness.
“I am trying to brush up on my speed, endurance and mental fortitude which I believe will put me in good stead for the task ahead," he observed.
His biggest target in Paris is to improve on the 44.69 personal best he set at the Kip Keino Classic on April 20.
This is when he qualified for the Paris show, whose entry is set at 45 seconds.
He was fourth behind Botswana’s Bayapo Ndori (44.10), USA’s Bryce Deadmon (44.41) and Leungo Scotch of Botswana (44.54).
"My goal is to reach the final in Paris. Competing against the world’s best will push me to lower my PB to 44 seconds or even high 43 seconds," he hopes.
He will face some of the top runners over the distance including Olympic champion Steven Gardiner of the Bahamas, two-time South American champion Anthony Zambrano of Colombia and 2012 Olympic champion Kirani James of Grenada.
World champion Antonio Watson of Jamaica, Britain’s Mathew Hudson–Smith, a two-time European champion, and Quincy Hall of the USA, a world 4x400m relay champion have also booked their tickets.
Making Team Kenya to Paris is a milestone, especially after watching his colleagues struggle to run sub-45.
“Many athletes struggled to get qualifications but I cracked it despite finishing fourth at the kip Keino Classic. It's such a special feeling,” said the Kenya Defence Forces runner.
To fortify his form, he has competed in several races despite a stint on the sidelines due to illness.
“I am getting stronger now. My body is responding well to training,” he added.
Ekwam also ventured into the relays, where, alongside Mary Moraa, David Sanayek and Mercy Chebet, they clocked 3:11.88 in the 4x400m race, good enough for a ticket to the Paris Games.
His latest international exploits saw him partner Sanayek, Kelvin kipkorir and Boniface Mweresa in striking a silver medal at the Africa Senior Championships in Douala, Cameroon, in June.
They clocked 3:02.34 behind Botswana, who timed 3:02.23.
