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Kenya's Karako targets gold in Rio Olympics, World Half Marathon

Xinhua, January 9, 2016 Adjust font size:

orld Cross Country silver medalist Bedan Karoki has prioritized two major championships for 2016, the Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil, and the World Half Marathon in Cardiff, Wales.

The Japan-based long distance runner said with good planning and training, the country will be able to reclaim the 10,000m title, last won in 1968 Games by Naftali Temu.

"We are getting closer and I believe Mo Farah is sensing that the gap has been reduced and to win in Rio will be a major struggle. But we have to look at the present and what matters now is the qualification first," Karoki said on Friday from Nyahururu in central Kenya.

A hamstring injury took the wind out of Karoki's sail in the build up to the 2012 London Olympics, which he struggled to finish fifth. But the 25-year-old in now keen to make amends in Rio.

"In Beijing, we had a good strategy and Farah was lucky to escape with the gold. It will be harder in Rio. For me I was frustrated to finish fourth and I believe we can work on it better as a team and that is why I want to compete at the World Half Marathon together with my friend Geoffrey Kamworor," he added.

Though Kenya is yet to name its team to the World Half Marathon, defending champion Kamworor has confirmed he is keen to retain his title.

And now Karoki has also sounded out Athletics Kenya (AK) officials to consider him for the same competition.

The two won gold and silver in Guiyang, China in March last year during the World Cross Country Championships.

Karoki hopes that 2015 world leader Abraham Cheroben will also focus on the championship road race.

Karoki expects to open his 2016 campaign at the Discovery Cross Country Championships in Eldoret on Jan. 31. He is also set to race at the RAK half marathon on Feb. 13. Endit