Wycliffe Kinyamal: Commonwealth Games champion explains why he had doubts qualifying for Olympic Games

Wycliffe Kinyamal: Commonwealth Games champion explains why he had doubts qualifying for Olympic Games

Abigael Wafula 13:17 - 12.07.2024

Wycliffe Kinyamal has opened up about how he initially thought he was not the right fit for making the Olympic team but miraculously punched his ticket after finishing second at the Kenyan Olympic trials.

Commonwealth Games champion Wycliffe Kinyamal did not expect to make the cut to the Olympic team due to a series of injuries but life had a different plan for him.

Going into the trials, he did not intend to win the race or even finish in the podium bracket but he managed a second-place finish in a personal best time.

Kinyamal clocked a stunning 1:42.50 to finish behind wunderkind Emmanuel Wanyonyi who won the race in a personal best time of 1:41.70 before lowering his time at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris with a second-place finish of 1:41.58.

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Kinyamal is aware of the huge task awaiting the Kenyans at the Paris Olympics, being defending champions in the 800m courtesy of Emmanuel Korir who won the title at the delayed 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“I feel very nice and appreciate what I did, running my personal best time and I thank God. I never expected to post this time. My plans were not even to make the cut to the Olympic team because I wasn’t in great condition,” Kinyamal said concerning the Kenyan Olympic trials.

“Now, I will be happy to represent my team. I feel great. I train in Ngong and I would like to thank my coach for his commitment to ensuring I train well.”

Kinyamal has been impressive this season, with podium finishes in most of his races. He finished second at the Diamond League Meetings in Xiamen, Suzhou and Rabat.

The 27-year-old also finished fifth at the Diamond League Meeting in Paris, clocking 1:42.08, improving his personal best time from the national trials.

Kinyamal and Wanyonyi, the world 800m silver medallist will be joined by Koitatoi Kidali in their quest for Olympic glory.