Fast-rising Caleb Mwangangi targets two world titles in China
Kenya's Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku reacts after winning in the Men 3000 m final event at the IAAF World Indoor Athletics Championships in the Ergo Arena in the Polish coastal town of Sopot, on March 9, 2014. PHOTO | JOHANNES EISELE |
What you need to know:
- Mwangangi said he hopes to face double Olympic and world World 10,000m and 5,000m champions Mo Farah next year and is hopeful on defeating the Somali-born Briton superstar.
High-rising 5,000m star Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku wants to carry on his blistering 2014 season to next year where he targets the World Cross Country and World Championships titles.
Four years ago, Mwangangi gave Kenya a World Cross Junior title in Bydgoszcz, Poland but the 23-year-old athlete wants to win the senior men’s 12km race during the World Cross Country Championships on March 28, Guiyang, China.
“Cross country is my race and that is something I am discussing with my coach to give it a shot,” said Mwangangi. “I won as a junior and I want to do it as a senior if all goes well.”
However, Mwangangi, who won five majors titles in 2014, must perform well during the national trials of February 14 at Uhuru Gardens.
Kenya's Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku celebrates winning the final of the men's 5000m athletics event at Hampden Park during the 2014 Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland on July 27, 2014. PHOTO | BEN STANSALL | AFP
Mwangangi, who is the World Indoor 3,000m champion, intends to compete in two indoor races early next year besides the cross country races as he also shapes up for the World Championships due August 22-30 in Beijing, China.
MO FARAH COLLISSION
Mwangangi said he hopes to face double Olympic and world World 10,000m and 5,000m champions Mo Farah next year and is hopeful on defeating the Somali-born Briton superstar.
“I want to represent Kenya in the 5,000m race well at the World Championship. Mo is a great athlete but I believe I can beat him,” said Mwangangi, the 2014 Commonwealth Games and World Cup 5,000m champion.
A combination of two photos shows Britain's Mo Farah (left) doing his trademark "Mobot" gesture after winning the men's 2-mile race during the Diamond League Athletics meeting in Birmingham on August 24, 2014, and Kenya's Caleb Mwangangi Ndiku reacting after winning the gold medal in the men's 5000 metres final during the 19th Senior Africa Championship Athletics on August 14, 2014 in Marrakesh. PHOTOS | FADEL SENNA | CARL COURT | AFP
Mwangi, who capped his 2014 season by winning the Diamond League Series, wants to improve his personal best of 12:59.17 set at Stockholm on August 21, this year as well as he attempts the Two Miles World Record next year.
Kenya's track legend Daniel Komen holds the Two Mile World record time of 7:58.61 set July 17, 1997 in Hechtel-Eksel, Belgium.
“It was a great season and can’t complain because God has remained faithful to me and enabled me to win all the important medals," said Mwangangi.
“I want to run a sub 12:50 in the New Year.”
