Why competing against Ferdinand Omanyala, Mark Otieno will be a plus for Hesborn Ochieng

ATHLETICS Why competing against Ferdinand Omanyala, Mark Otieno will be a plus for Hesborn Ochieng

Abigael Wafula 06:30 - 15.03.2024

Sprinter Hesborn Ochieng has opened up on why he does not train to beat the likes of Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno.

Kenyan sprinter Hesborn Ochieng believes competing against elite athletes like Africa’s fastest man Ferdinand Omanyala and Mark Otieno is not a threat to him but is an added advantage.

Speaking after sealing a ticket to the African Games, Ochieng disclosed that having them in the team would be a great morale booster and not necessarily a competition to determine who is the greatest among them.

He noted that when training, he usually maintains the mindset of beating his previous times and not necessarily beating any athlete.

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“Having to compete against Omanyala and Mark Otieno is a plus to me…I’m not training to beat our champion Omanyala or Otieno.

“I just want to beat the qualifying time for the Olympic Games, which is 10.00. That is my aim and I don’t care whether I will achieve that in the heats or semis, I will be racing against my time,” Ochieng said.

Ochieng also explained that the main reason he fought for a ticket to the African Games was to hit the qualifying mark for the Olympic Games in Paris, France.

He noted that there are certain things he would like to work on ahead of hitting the qualifying mark

“The main reason why I’ll be going to Ghana is to hit the qualifying time for the Olympic Games and all the work I’m putting in now is to achieve that feat.

“In training, I want to work on my last 20m to the finish line, that’s my weakness. When it comes to the starts, I’m okay and I’m also good in executing but the last 20m is what I have to work on. It’s very possible to beat that time,” he added.

At the African Games national trials, Ochieng destroyed a strong field to claim the top prize in 10.22 and believes there’s still room for improvement.

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