Fit-again Mwangangi sets eyes on Japan 2020

The 2014 World Indoor 3,000m champion Caleb Mwangangi is plotting a comeback in next year after shaking off his career-threatening back injury which had ruled him out of action for close to two years.

Mwangangi, the 2015 World 5,000m silver medalist and 2014 Commonwealth 5,000m champion, says he is fully fit and ready to reignite his career with Diamond league on the cards which he says he will use it as the preparations for the 2020 Olympic Games in Japan.

At the Rio Olympics, the son of a javelin thrower, David Ndiku, did not make it to the finals due to back injury problems and now says he will only participate in two Diamond leagues to test his body ahead of 2019 World Championship in Qatar and 2020 Olympics.

“I have recovered fully from my injury which has dented my progress since 2016 and I will be heading to Iten (Elgeyo-Marakwet County) next month to start my preparations ahead of the busy 2019.

I want to participate in two Diamond leagues alone next year because I want my body to adapt well since I have been out for long. My target is to win 2020 Olympic gold medal because you know 2016 was not good for me due to injuries,” the Bydgoszcz 2010 Junior World Cross men’s winner said.

Marathon

The 26-year old also known as “The Buffalo”, denied retirement claims despite the 2016 Rio dismal performance which fuelled worries he was not goring at full power.

The Machakos born star, says he is eyeing to graduate to road races and eventually to marathon because has a penchant for long distances.

“Not soon and believe you me I will be around for many years. After 2020 I will move to road races and when I hit 30 I will be prime for marathon so where does retirement claims comes from,” Mwangangi told Citizen Digital in an exclusive interview.

In 2009, Mwangangi made his international debut at the 2009 World Youth (U18) Championships in Bressanone, Italy having made the Kenyan team at the event’s Trials in Nairobi by finishing third.

In 2014, Mwangangi had a very impressive season, bagging everything possible: World Indoor Championships in 3000m, Commonwealth Games in 5000m, African Championships in 5000m, the Diamond League in 5000m (with two victories in Eugene and Zurich), and the Continental Cup in 3000m ,becoming the number one of 5000m for the ranking of track and field.