Daniel Mateiko sets sights on World Championships

The 2022 Istanbul Half Marathon's runner-up Daniel Mateiko is targeting a podium finish at next year’s World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.

This is after skipping  Athletics Kenya's national trials for next year's World Cross-country Championships.

Mateiko, who finished eighth (27:33.57) in the 10,000m during this year’s trials, said his main focus now is to qualify for the World Championships.

“My primary focus is on the World Championships, where I intend to finish among the top three athletes. I had really wanted to participate in the Word Cross-country Championships but the trials caught me off guard…I had not trained well,” Mateiko said.

He revealed he will not also participate in February’s Sirikwa Classic Cross Country meeting as he will be preparing for a half marathon race which will serve as a build-up for the global show.

He added that he had been battling an injury before competing at the Valencia Half Marathon, where he placed third in 58:40. “In Valencia, I did not perform to my expectations due to an injury which stalled my training process,” he said.

“At the moment, I am getting ready for a half marathon in February,  where I intend to lower my personal best time.”

His personal best time in the half marathon currently stands at 58:26.

At the moment, Mateiko revealed he is attending gym sessions with an aim of improving his endurance. “From January, I intend to start working on my speed,” he added.

Mateiko also said he is looking forward to making his debut at the Paris Olympics in 2024.

“When I come back from the World Championships, I will have identified some of my weaknesses which I will work on ahead of the 2024 Olympics. Participating in such a big stage will be a dream come true,” he concluded.

posted Saturday December 24th
by Abigael Wuafula