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Former World U-20 1500m champion Reynold Cheruiyot says his experience at last year’s World Championships will be key if he is to reach the final of his specialty at the on-going Paris Olympics Games here.

Cheruiyot placed eighth at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary last year in a time of 3:30.78 arrived in Paris oozing with confidence and said his focus was to first qualify for the finals of the race, then he would change his game plan.

Focus on finals

“I wasn’t used to the intensity of major championships. Competing in different heats on consecutive days was tough, but making the final was a valuable experience,” he added.

 “My aim is to reach the finals, then strategize for a medal.”

Cheruiyot said he is ready for the Paris challenge after honing his skill at Team Kenya’s camp in Eldoret alongside 2023 African champion Brian Komen under coaches Jacob and James Mutisya.

“Training wasn’t without challenges. It could rain in the morning and evening, thus forcing us to postpone our sessions,” he said.

His training routine focused on speed work and endurance.

“I did long runs on Mondays, speed work on Tuesday and Thursday and fartlek on Saturdays,” he said.

He is under no pressure as he makes his Olympic debut.

“I’ll think about the title once I line up in the finals,” he said.

Teamwork will be crucial for a podium sweep.

“We all need to perform well in our heats to secure finals spots. Once there, we’ll strategize for a podium sweep,” he added.

Meanwhile, Judo coach David Busolo believes Zeddy Cherotich’s qualification for the 2024 Olympic Games could transform the sport in Kenya.

Contender

Cherotich will battle Portugal’s Patricia Sampao in a – 78kg Round of 32 match at the Champ-de-Mars Arena today.

“This is big,”  said Busolo. “It is a big deal for us, for the women, the men and the country in general.”

“To qualify for such an event is a big honour and shows Kenya is full of talent.”

However, more can be done to support the sport as part of the country’s diversification agenda.

“Time has come for us to embrace sports outside our traditional strengths,” he said.

“The qualification process was tough but the government helped Zeddy compete in the qualification tournaments.”

“Her first such championship was in Morocco and since then, she has been a very good athlete. She is not disappointed,” Busolo added.

 Cherotich showed growth at the final qualification round in Abu Dhabi, which gives Busolo hopes of a splendid performance in Paris.

“She showed she’s ready for the huge task ahead,” he said.

He doesn’t expect the hot Paris weather to impact Cherotich’s competition.

“The weather in Paris is more or less of what we had back home, save for the heat,” he said.

“Camping in Miramas helped our athletes acclimatise and we are glad Zeddy has had almost everything she needed in the run up to the Games.”

Ambitious teammates

“We are looking at nothing but the final. She has trained well and has the will to compete here,” he said, adding: “This is the greatest blessing a coach can ever have.”

However, he doesn’t want to water down efforts from his fellow coaches and team management.

“Many of us (coaches) were involved and credit goes to even those who could not travel despite playing a huge role in her qualification, “  he said, adding it was never a smooth sail.

“The greatest challenge was consistency in attending the qualifiers. If she had participated in all of them, she wouldn’t have waited to qualify through the rankings,” he said.

Containing her anxiety was another.

“I am happy the anxiety is gone and she’s ready to go. Watch this space,” he said.

Busolo wants the country to develop the foundation Cherotich has put.

“ We want to use this as a turning point for Kenyan Judo. We have laid down a foundation to develop our junior and cadet athletes ahead of Dakar 2026 (Youth Olympics) and Los Angeles 2028,” he said.

“Inspired by Cherotich, we have lined up a mega competition in Kwale next weekend as we look to exploit talents at the grassroots level.”

They also want to utilise the expertise of Japanese coach, Utashiro Usuke, who has been seconded to Kenya by the International Judo Federation.

They have high expectations in him, not only in player development but tutoring the coaches too.

“ We want to bring them  (coaches) to a place where they can nurture athletes up to the highest level,” he said.