With just 16 days to the Kenyan race-walking veteran Samuel Gathimba has his eyes set on glory when he sets foot on the streets of in the morning of 1st August 2024.
After finishing fourth in the 2023 world championships held in Budapest Hungary, 2019 African Games champion is confident of making it to the podium. Gathimba who has now been training in Kasarani where National Olympic Committee of Kenya has set as the residential camp will be banking on his vast experience gained over the years to come on top.
Drinking two litres of water a day and having a sleep schedule has drastically improved my focus and ability to concentrate, but more so having a set plan already in place, I no longer open my books and waste precious time wondering what to do or where to focus. I can look at my chart and see exactly what I need to do and get started straight away.
After all the hard work, it’s very rewarding to cross off the topics on your calendar to show how far you have come. This can help keep you on track and stay motivated and give you the best chance of success.
“The experience I got in Rio 2016 combined with all the African championships I have won medals in will play a critical role in shaping the race I will have in Paris. I believe I have now come of age to be able to deliver in a major world event like the Olympic Games”
Despite missing out in the Tokyo 2020 Olympic games Gathimba has managed to keep his head in the game and was determined to make it for the Paris 2024 edition therefore when Budapest came, he only had one goal in mind which was punching his ticket and he did so clocking 1:18:34. This was a motivation and clear indication that making the podium is indeed just a stone throw away since he came in fourth.
“I have been practicing and I feel I am not only physically prepared but also mentally to do my very best in Paris. My goal is to show Kenya and the world that walking race is just as prestigious a discipline like all the others by winning a medal in Paris.”