Emily Ngii, the Africa race walking champion is set to be the first Kenya to feature in a final as the World Athletics Championships start today in Eugene Oregon, United States.

Ngii will line up in the women’s 20km walk that has been planned for 11:10 pm, which is 9:20 am Saturday in Kenya.

The walker, who left the country on Tuesday, is eager to replicate her continental form on the global stage.

“I have heard a few days here in Oregon for light training and such, I can say I am getting used to the weather here,” said the walker.

Admittedly,  training in hilly areas was the secret weapon that helped her clinch her gold in the women’s 20km walk at the Senior Africa Athletics Championships in Mauritius last month.

“The course was not bad for me although the weather was really bad. Back home, I have been training in a hilly area and so when I went to Mauritius, the course was not bad for me. Even after crossing the finish line, I felt I could go for another 10km,” Ngii.

“ That win helped with my rankings as I was invited to the world championship afterwards, now I want to prove that I can deliver her as well,” added Ngii who further says the win has motivated her for greater things ahead as she eyes a podium finish at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in August. 

“I was not expecting to win but here I am. I am very happy to have won this gold medal. I thank God so much for enabling me to win. Now I want to win another gold medal at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham and I know I can do it,” she added.