Mucheru longs to stage splendid comeback

He finished fifth in 400m hurdles at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing

Olympic 400m silver medalist, who has been out of action since 2017 due to a tendon injury, is now in training.

He struggled to make a breakthrough on virgin ground – winning a gold medal in 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games. But he came so near yet so far at the 2016 Rio Olympic Games.

Despite this, Boniface Mucheru improved on a bronze medal David Kiptoo won in 400m at the 1996 Olympic Games in Atlanta, Georgia, in 1996. Even before the dust settled on his brilliant showing, Mucheru picked a string of tendon injuries that lasted three years.  

Mucheru, who posted a personal best of 47.78 seconds and a national record, became the first Kenyan to win a medal in 400m hurdles at the Olympic Games. He describes the gradual recovery as inspirational.

The 28-year-old has had a gradual rise, winning bronze in 400m and 4x400m at 2010 Africa Senior Athletics Championships and bagging bronze in 400m hurdles and 4x400m at 2014 at the same championships.

He finished fifth in 400m hurdles at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing but won 400m hurdles title at the 2016 Africa Championships.  

“Since Rio Olympic Games, I have suffered from injuries. In 2017, I got injured while in training and I have been ruled out since then. 

“2018 was the worst year for me. Injuries were career-threatening and I was advised not to attempt any workout for one year to recover well. That same year, I lost my best friend and a competitor, Nicholas Bett, through a road accident. It was traumatic moment for me,” he said.

Mucheru, who was born and bred in Laikipia, believes the three years out of competition is behind him. He is optimistic of making his third appearance at the Olympic Games in Tokyo next year. 

The multi-sport games, which were scheduled for this August, were postponed to next year due to Covid-19 pandemic. 

“I made my maiden appearance in the Olympics in London but Rio was the turning point in my career. I am grateful to have an Olympic medal and hope to make a third stab at the big stage next year," he said.

Mucheru, a Nanyuki-based Kenya Defence Forces corporal: “I have been out for too long, most people have forgotten me but I hope to clear the barriers hard again.”

In 2015, Mucheru alongside Bett and Aaron Koech moved their training base to University of Pretoria in South Africa and this worked for them.

“Due to Coronavirus outbreak, I am currently doing light individual training to keep fit.”