Rono angling for Team Kenya comeback after three-year hiatus

Gideon Rono © Katami Michelle Twitter

ATHLETICS Rono angling for Team Kenya comeback after three-year hiatus

Abigael Wafula 13:35 - 12.03.2023

Rono destroyed a fine field at the third Athletics Kenya meet to win the 5000m race.

The latest kid on the block Gideon Rono has vowed that this year's World Championships in Budapest, Hungary are a must attend for him after being out since 2020.

Rono, who is based in Japan, had qualified for the 2020 Africa Cross-country championships which were cancelled due to the Covid 19 pandemic and he noted that since then, it was difficult for him to balance between his schedule in Japan and representing the country. He couldn't make Team Kenya last year as he was not in the country during the trials.

He noted that he will be keen to make sure he is in the country to ensure he cuts the ticket to the global show slated for August.

"This year, I must compete at the World Championships," he said.

In order to make it to the national team for the World Championships, Rono will have to battle it out with some of the great athletes in the country who will also be seeking the ticket.

The likes of Daniel Simiyu, Jacob Krop and Nicholas Kimeli are among the top athletes over the 12.5 lap distance but Rono is not shaken by their presence and he believes he has all it takes to qualify.

Gideon Rono © Team Kenya Twitter

"You just need to have a good understanding of your body and strive to train well...with that, there is no need to fear anyone," he bullishly said.

Rono competed at the third Athletics Kenya meet where he impressed the masses to win in his category and emerge top overally. He clocked 13:41.00 ahead of Hillary Kipkoech and Joseph Mwangi who clocked 14:10.10 and 14:19.70 respectively.

Samuel Kibathi and Dismus Lokira settled for second and third places overally in respective times of 13:46.40 and 14:05.80.

Rono attested that investing his time well in training has paid off a great deal and he expressed excitement towards the achievement. He participated in the second AK meet but his time forced him to settle for third place.

"I was well prepared for today. I had done my training diligently and I was sure of something good," he said.

The youngster, who has a personal best time of 13:16.51 over the distance, noted that he relocated to Japan in 2020 and so far, he likes it there.

"In Japan I have so many races and I like being busy. Here, races happen once in a while, it's not as busy as Japan," he added.

He revealed that he will be flying back to Japan and come back in June in preparation for the World Championships.

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