Wanyoike eyes marathon gold in Rio Olympics

By Erick Ochieng’

Paralympics record holder Henry Wanyoike has cautioned his crictis against writing him off.

Though he failed to perform at the 2012 London Games, the triple World record holder is optimistic, he will turn around his career.

Wanyoike has already set base at the Alliance High School with his running partner Joseph Kibunja as they prepare to smash records at forthcoming international   championships.

Wanyoike, who dropped out at the 27km mark during London Paralympics while participating in the marathon category, said it was just a bad day for him in the race.

“I suffered a hip injury so I could not continue, it was just another unfortunate incident for me in the contest,” he said.

“I had to remain behind in London to undergo further medication which went on well. That’s why I was missing in the Kenyan squad when they return to the country after the games,” he said.

The blind athlete has already set his target, which is to prepare well and end his athletics career in style at the 2016 Olympics Games in Brazil. His target is to get the elusive Paralympics gold, which is missing in his decorated cabinet.

 “I and Kibunja have already laid down a training schedule which we have started working on, we have faith that the gold will come in Brazil,” he added.

 Wanyoike holds world records in the 5000m, 10,000m and 21km categories. He is glad the records were not broken in London and has observed that it will be hard for anyone to break them, at least not in the near future.

To realize how far they have gone with the schedule the two departed this week to test their fitness at the Vienna Night Run in Austria where they hope to post an impressive record.

Before their departure to Austria the two presided over the opening of five state of the art classrooms commissioned built in honour of their work at Hillcrest International School in Karen. Wanyoike is also looking forward to participate in the London and Boston marathons.