James Mucheru believes nothing will stop him from delivering gold for Kenya in the boy’s 110m hurdle at the forthcoming IAAF World U-18 Athletics Championships at Kasarani Stadium.
Mucheru was inspired to embrace the category after watching Nicholas Bett win the 400m hurdles at the World Championships in Beijing in 2015.
Even though he is a 400m hurdle athlete just like Bett, Mucheru decided to try his luck in the 110m race during the national trials to select Kenya’s team at Nyayo Stadium a fortnight ago.
“The 400m hurdle was dominated, so I thought I would have a perfect chance in the 110m, I went for it and luckily I clocked 14:09 to fall inside the qualifying time,” Mucheru said.
He says he has been working day and night to improve his performance as he focuses on winning gold at the coming event scheduled for July 12-16.
“I go to the gym almost daily, I do a lot of sprints as I focus on improving my personal best,” he said.
The Ol Kalou-based athlete is currently working on his start and finish.
He is grateful to be training under coach Andrew Maritim at the team residential camp at Nyayo stadium.
At home, he has his own home-made hurdles which he uses to step up his training during school holidays.
“Back at home in Ol Kalou I train alone since I have no coach to advice or impart proper knowledge on hurdling.
“I just do it my way but here at the camp we get guidance on how to do it.”
“I believe at the end of the championships I will have gathered enough knowledge to take me to the next level in my athletics career,” he said.
The Form Four student at Kurugu Secondary School was recently buoyed in his quest for stardom in the category when he won at the Third Athletics Kenya meeting held at Thika Stadium.
