A Kericho-based athlete who clinched gold in the World Cross Country Championships mixed relay category held in Bathurst, Australia, in February this year is set to represent Kenya again at the 2023 World Athletics Road Running Championships set to take place next month.
Daniel Munguti who featured in the 4 by 2km mixed relay race with team mates Emmanuel Wanyonyi, Miriam Cherop, and Brenda Chebet, reclaimed the title they had lost four years ago, beating Ethiopia, with the host country Australia taking the bronze medal. He will feature in the one-mile road race in the world athletics road running games in Riga, Latvia, to be held from September 30 to October 1.
The start of the Road Mile race will take place in the capital city, Riga, where amateur and elite athletes from at least 100 countries will compete for the crown.
In an interview with KNA at Gariette training grounds, the 28-year-old athlete who missed the just concluded 2023 World Athletics Championships held in Budapest, Hungary, said that his focus is on the road mile race and that he is optimistic about bringing home a medal.
“I am in good shape, and I have hopes of winning. In the two weeks remaining, I am training very hard with the help of my coach Gabriel, and I am confident that I will not disappoint my Kericho team or my country,” said Munguti.
The seasoned athlete in the 5000m and 1500m men’s disciplines has featured in both local and international athletic competitions. In June this year, he represented Kenya in the 1500m at the 22nd CAA Africa Athletics Championships in Mauritius.
He romped in second in the 1500m race at the 2023 World Athletics Continental Tour held in Belizona, Switzerland, on September 4 with a personal best of 3:34.06 and expressed optimism that he will improve on his speed and make it to the podium.
The athlete trains under Coach Gabriel Kiptanui, who doubles up as Athletics Kenya’s (AK) First Vice Chairman, Kericho branch.
Speaking to KNA, coach Kiptanui said Munguti is dedicated and disciplined in his training, has posted positive personal best times in both local and international races, and is hopeful that he will bring home gold.
“I am positive Munguti will continue posting excellent results at the World Athletics Road Running Championships in Latvia. He has great potential and is talented in his track disciplines. Currently, we are training to ensure he is in good shape and he works at maintaining his running speed,” said Kiptanui.
By Sarah Njagi
