African 800m silver medalist Lillian Odira says she’s now not frightened of competing on the massive stage after making her Olympics debut in Paris, final yr.
Odira says her confidence has grown and he or she is now not afraid of working in opposition to the massive names within the girls’s 800m.
“From competing ultimately yr’s Paris Olympics, I’ve gained some expertise and as I head to the World Championships, I might be extra skilled…not like final yr on the Olympics. I’m going to take a seat down with my coach and devise the perfect programme for the World Championships in order that we will work in the direction of it,” she stated.
Odira made her debut on the Paris Olympics the place she reached the semi-finals of the ladies’s 800m – clocking 1:58.83 to complete fourth.
Earlier than then, she had timed 2:00.36 to win silver on the African Championships in Douala, throughout which her fellow countrywoman, Sarah Moraa, received gold.
She additionally represented Kenya at this yr’s World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China the place she reached the semis as properly.
All by these alternatives to don the Staff Kenya singlet, Odira admits she has acquired a number of essential classes that may turn out to be useful on the World Championships.
“What I discovered even from competing on the Paris Olympics was the necessity to work on my pace. That’s what I’ve been engaged on as a result of my endurance is okay. I would not know what targets to set myself for Tokyo as a result of I nonetheless have to take a seat down with my coach and provide you with targets that may inform the coaching programme that we’ll provide you with,” the Kenya Prisons officer stated.
Regardless of already sealing her ticket for the worldwide showpiece, Odira put in a virtuoso efficiency to win the ladies’s 800m on the nationwide trials on Tuesday on the Ulinzi Sports activities Advanced.
She clocked 2:13.85 in first place, forward of Vivian Chebet (2:14.05) and Moraa (2:14.31) who got here second and third respectively.
The nationwide champion was grateful for an excellent yr to date, noting that she is reaping the rewards of arduous work and teamwork.
“I thank God as a result of He has enabled me to come back this far…I would not have carried out it with out Him. I even have a really supportive workforce behind me who’ve helped me in my preparations. I used to be right here and received the Nationwide Championships and at the moment I’ve additionally received as soon as once more,” she stated.
Odira might be accompanied by World champion Mary Moraa, Chebet and Sarah within the workforce to fly the nationwide flag within the one-lap race in Tokyo.
