NAIROBI, July 26 (Xinhua) -- Kenya team to the global Championships always has a lone wolf in the pack and at the London World Championships Elijah Kimitei will be the unknown assassin in the triple jump competition.
Like his mentors Olympic javelin champion Julius Yego and Nicholas Bett (400m hurdles), Kimitei hopes he will be strong enough to challenge for the medals on his first shot at the big championships. However, he is only contending with the fact that he has made the team to London.
"It is a new experience for me. I will be putting in my best, though I am aware it may not be enough to make the cut to the second round, but it clears a big hurdle in my ambition to become a world champion," said Kimitei.
Kenya has entered a team of 51 athletes to the championships, which start on August 4 and hope they will be strong enough to defend the overall title they won in Beijing back in 2015.
Kimitei, who has remained unbeaten in local competition since 2010 was confident, saying time is ripe for Kenya to also make a mark in the jumps.
However, he is alive he will be up against some of the best jumpers including USA's 2012 and 2016 Olympic champion Christian Taylor and 2013 world champion Teddy Tamgho from France.
"It has been my dream to meet them and compete against them," said Kimitei. "I will not drop my guard and must let my body fly."
The 31-year-old has represented Kenya in four Africa Championships and the Commonwealth Games. But in London he hopes to gain new height. Distance and not time will tell how far he can jump.
