Wanjiru wants to reduce his weight

Olympic gold medallist Samwel Wanjiru wants to reduce his weight on time for his first major race of the season.

Wanjiru, who won Kenya’s first ever gold medal in men’s marathon during the Beijing Olympic Games last August, says he is busy training in Ngong area.

“I gained about two kilos over the festive season. I now want to go back to 52kg, my weight during the Olympics,” said Wanjiru on Thursday.

Wanjiru said he is working on gaining speed and losing weight as he looks forward to the Portugal half marathon in February.

Best time

He is also gearing up for the Dubai half marathon in March and the London full marathon in April, where he is looking to lower his time to a target of 2.04 hours.

At the moment, his best time is 2.05.24, set in the London marathon last year when he finished second behind fellow Kenyan Martin Lel.

He was speaking during a trophy presentation ceremony for Olympic gold medallists at a Nairobi hotel on Thursday. He was one of the athletes who were awarded a Kenyan Heroes Trophy.

National team captain Wilfred Bungei, winner of gold in the men’s 800m, was represented by his wife, Prisca Bungei, who received the sculpture on his behalf. Bungei is presently training in Italy ahead of the world indoor championships.

Kenya won five gold medals at the Beijing Olympics including women’s 800m, taken by Pamela Jelimo, men’s 3,000 m steeplechase won by Brimin Kipruto, and Nancy Chebet Lagat who took the 1500m medal.

Present at the function was assistant minister for sports Kabando wa Kabando and other officials from the Return of the Man-Eaters of Tsavo Foundation.

This occasion was the inaugural event of the Kenya Hero’s trophy meant to honour Kenyan sports heroes.

The carving that depicts an armed man being attacked by a lion while he is working on the Kenya-Uganda railway, brings to mind the events of 1900 when one young police superintendent, Charles Ryall, was mauled to death by the man-eating lions in Tsavo.