Heristone Wanyonyi walked his way to gold as he grabbed Kenya’s fourth in the ongoing World Athletics U20 Championships after winning the 10,000m race walk at Kasarani Stadium on Saturday August 21, 2021.
Wanyonyi won in a time of 42:10.84 posting his personal best with Amit of India taking silver 42:17.94 Paul Mcgrath of Spain clinched bronze after clocking 43:26.11.
Wanyonyi also became the first Kenyan to win a walk medal at any world championship.
“I am really pleased to win this medal today because I have shown people that Kenya can also produce good race walkers. It is a motivation for me and others who want to take up the sport. I am really delighted because it wasn’t easy,” Wanyonyi said after the race.
“I just decided to stick to the leading pack and when I felt I still had energy I just went on. With four laps to go, I knew I was going to win gold. I just kept a steady pace and when the time came, I went up,” he added.
Wanyonyi raced from behind, sizing his opponents before gathering momentum in the last four laps of the race.
He went shoulder to shoulder with Amit with twelve laps to go before making the big move in the last lap.
"It feels so good to be a world champion. East Africans are known for road races and this is something we should take seriously, we can dominate like we have dominated in all other middle distance and long races.
I have worked for this and my coaches were very helpful as they guided me with the tactics and the technical aspects of the competition. I knew I could handle the intensity and the endurance needed.” he said.