Maasai Moran who’s aiming for the stars

Ita Nao Leshan talking with athletes at Emanyatta Athletics camp in Emuruo Dikirr. [The Standard Group]

After honing his skills while throwing spears as a Maasai warrior, Ita Nao Leshan now targets the world under-20 and world junior javelin record this year.

The youngster stormed into the Nairobi 2017 world under-18 finals without any experience, but the 18-year-old athlete says time has come for him to be among the best in the world.

Barefoot and with no coach, or even equipment, Leshan made the Kenyan squad at the 2017 world youth championships and threw himself to 64.6m mark, landing him in ninth position in the world youth ranking that year.

Since that championship, the youngster from Emurua Dikirr, in Narok, has never looked back.

In 2018, he was ranked fourth at the 2018 Youth Olympics in Buenos Aires, Argentina after managing a throw of 74.52m.

Last year, the 18-year old won the silver medal at the Africa Youth Games in Algiers, Algeria before winning gold at the Africa Athletics Championships in Abidjan, Ivory Coast.

He ended the season with an Africa Games bronze medal.

With Kenya set to host the World under-20 Championships from July 7-12, Leshan, now ranked third in the country after former world champion Julius Yego and Alexander Kiprotich of Kenya Defence Forces, believes he has covered ground and has mastered skills that will enable him to make a podium finish during the July games and possibly, make the Olympic Games team.

Nao Leshan. [The Standard Group]

“It has been real struggle to learn the trade over the years, but I’m grateful to have gained the experience and competed at the highest stage in the junior categories,” said Leshan, who sat for his KCPE examination last year at Olive Academy in Narok County. He is set to join Ololulunga High School.

“My preparations are geared towards the world under-20 and Olympics qualifications. This year will be my last in junior competition, that’s why I want to finish on a high,” he said.

“I want to win a world title at home and attempt junior record of 86.48, which is currently being held by Neeraj Chopra of India.”

“I’m currently throwing 76-78 in training, that’s why I am optimistic I will achieve my dream of attaining a 90m throw.”

Leshan was among 36 track and field athletes at Emanyatta Athletics camp at Emurua Dikirr High School, which was set up by Athletics Kenya and the government to identify and nurture talent ahead of the world under-20 trials later this year.

“This was the first time athletics camp was set in the entire Narok County. It’s very impressive because it gives young athletes the chance to showcase their talent,” said Leshan.

“I’m really impressed with the determination of the girls who are joining athletics. Traditionally, our girls were quite disadvantaged because of cultural practices that limited them from joining sports,” said Leshan.

“We now have girls who have the potential to make the team especially, Sintei Musei in 1500m and Spinka Chekemoi, who is specialising in discus and shot put. There many girls with great potential and should be helped by the government and AK to achieve their dream.”

AK Youth Development Programme chairman Barnaba Korir also said girls from the region should embrace sports and urged local athletics administrators to encourage more girls into sports.

“I’m impressed with the number of girls equaling the number of boys. This is a great indicator that in the future, we will have Maasai girls competing at the global stage. We want the AK camps to continue beyond 2020 under-20 championships, as we will ensure the girls are given more chance,” said Korir.