Nairobi — Japan-based Hellen Ekalale says her final dream is to characterize Kenya at subsequent 12 months’s World Championships, which shall be held in her second residence, that’s Tokyo.
Ekalale says the prospect of donning the Crew Kenya singlet whereas operating in acquainted territory is motivating her to work onerous in the direction of securing qualification.
“After all, that could be a very big motivation for me. I’ve tried very onerous previously to safe qualification to main worldwide competitions however I’ve by no means been profitable. Subsequent 12 months, I’m praying to get the ticket to characterize our nation in Tokyo and can work onerous for a similar,” the 25-year-old mentioned.
Ekalale is additional assured of creating the rostrum in Japan, noting that it will be the stuff of desires for her to win a medal for Kenya on a soil she has come to name residence.
“I believe so…that I’m primarily based in Japan, I believe that is a bonus that may work for me. It will make me so joyful to win a medal for my nation, particularly contemplating the competitors shall be held in Tokyo,” she mentioned.
Ought to she make the ultimate workforce to the worldwide championships, Ekalale shall be flying the nationwide flag for the second time in her profession.
Her debut got here on the 2018 World Underneath 20 Championships in Tampere, Finland, the place she clocked 15:45.07 to complete fifth within the ladies’s 5000m.
One in every of her teammates on that event was Beatrice Chebet who has gone on to a medal-laden profession, successful the Olympic 5000m and 10,000m title, World Cross Nation Championships, along with smashing the world file for the 25-lap race.
Ekalale says she seems as much as her agemate’s exploits as the total measure she wants to succeed in in her personal profession.
“Certainly, she has gone forward to reach her profession and do nice issues. She is really an inspiration to many, together with I,” she mentioned.
The Toyota Operating Firm athlete’s success are additionally not something to be sniffed at, notably in Japan the place she has been strolling the observe and discipline like a colossus.
She has received 9 out of the 13 races she has competed in in Japan whereas making the rostrum in 11 of these.
Ekalale could not have closed her season any higher than with victory on the fifth leg of the Athletics Kenya (AK) Cross Nation Collection in Ol Kalou on Saturday.
She clocked 35:53.1 to win the senior ladies’s 10km, forward of Christine Njoki (36:25.1) and Joylin Cherotich (37:13.1) in second and third respectively.