Dream alive for jumper Mulei

Gloria Mulei on her way to winning the women's junior long jump at the Third AK Meet at Thika stadium

Kenya Secondary Schools Sports Association national runner-up Gloria Mulei was the star attraction at the third Athletics Kenya Series Meet in Thika as she jumped 5.07m to lift the women’s junior long jump contest Thika Stadium, yesterday.

The victory enhanced Mulei’s chances of earning Team Kenya’s slot at the forthcoming IAAF World U-18 Championship national trials scheduled for next weekend in Eldoret.

“I have been training at our camp located at Kasarani Stadium in Nairobi since December. “It has been tough, but I am happy that everything is falling into place now. I feel my body is much ready for the national trials,” Mulei said.

Mulei, who trains under the tutelage of former decathlon sensation Caroline Kola.

“My performance has improved tremendously. The camp has helped me improve on my speed and pace and my strides are now sturdy,” the form three student at Kwathanze Secondary School in Machakos said.

The 17 year-old has given herself a timeline to hit the IAAF standard mark of 6.03m.

“I believe if I continue with this same pace of training I will be within the IAAF standard mark by July. My dream is to deliver for Kenya gold at the World U-18,” she said.

Mulei, who is equally good at triple jump, 100m, 200m and 100m hurdles says she has settled for long jump following advice from Kola.

“We have realised I can do well at the IAAF World U-18 if I choose one category and that is the reason I am focused on long jump as it is my forte compared to the rest,” she said.

Mulei discovered her athletic talent both in long and triple jump after she was introduced to the discipline by her class teacher at class five at Mutulu Primary School in Kitui. Even though she represented her primary school at national schools games, it was not until 2015 that she started winning medals.

“I won bronze in triple jump and was fourth overall in long jump in the 2015 national schools games. My performance improved last year where I won silver in the triple and bronze in long jump,” Mulei said.

“This year I have promised to be the best nationally.”

“It is my year. I am training very hard so I can put up a good show both for Team Kenya and in the school games,” she explained.

Mulei’s resolve has been backed by coach Kola who has tipped her to triumph in Eldoret.

“Currently, Mulei is the best junior woman athlete in the category. I see her clinching Team Kenya slot at the trials,” Kola said.

Apart from Mulei, coach Kola will be taking 25 other athletes from her Kasarani camp to the trials with hope that ten athletes from her camp will emerge successful in their categories.

“We have been training at Kasarani daily since December last year. On Wednesdays we head to Kwanthanze Secondary in Machakos for some high level training which has improved our performance in the various categories we have,” said Kola.