But for a twist of fate, Wycliffe Kinyamal could be heading to Oregon to compete in a whole different discipline.
Schedule | Results | Medals | TV Guide | Watch on DStv
For when he was young, the affable athlete was a high jumper.
“I never used to run. I liked high jump. Actually no one else in my family was interested in athletics. They all played football. I however liked high jump and started jumping when I was about 12,” Kinyamal told supersport.com.
He dabbled in 800 metres but the moment of reckoning came in 2016.
“When I travelled to Nairobi in 2016 for the East Africa Junior Games trials, my plan was to compete in high jump. But they didn’t allow me to compete. The only option I had was 800m so I decided to try because there was an opportunity and I really wanted to make the team.”
“I ran, made the team and weeks later, I went onto win gold for Kenya in Dar es Salaam and have never looked back.”
Six years later, the Commonwealth Games champion is getting ready to make his appearance at the World Championships.
“It’s my first world championships, and I am going there to do something good for my career. My target will be to win any medal. I cannot say whether its gold silver or bronze, but I am going to fight. Putting on the national colours make so happy because I am representing my country.”
He underlined his potential at Kenya’s national trials which will give him an extra bounce in his step, “Winning the trials has given me great motivation. It was an illustration that I am onto something good.”
Competition in Oregon will be stiff with Kenya having four competitors in the 800m.
“There is four of us but there are only three medals. Whoever gets the medals? We will be thankful because we are teammates and compatriots. The truth however is, one of us will miss out.”
Looking back, perhaps it was ordained that Kinyamal would pick up the two lap race.
The 25 year old hails from Kilgoris in Narok County; an area which has produced some of the greatest 800m athletes ever seen. Two time Olympic and world record holder David Rudisha, Two time world champion Billy Konchellah and 2005 World bronze medallist William Yiampoy and David Rudisha all hail from the area.
“A lot of athletes come from Kilgoris which is huge inspiration that I can follow through in the footsteps of the likes of Rudisha. This is my time to do as well as they did. Hopefully soon, another youngster will come through just like I did.”
ATHLETICS WORLD CHAMPIONSHIPS BROADCAST DETAILS
15 July
Day 1 Morning Session | 18:05-01:50 | SS Variety 3
Day 1 Afternoon Session | 02:05-05:00 | SS Variety 3
16 July
Day 2 Morning Session | 19:30-23:10 | SS Variety 3
Day 2 Afternoon Session | 02:10-05:05 | SS Variety 3
17 July
Day 3 Morning Session |15:15-23:45 | SS Variety 3
Day 3 Afternoon Session | 01:40-05:15 | SS Variety 3
18 July
Day 4 Morning Session | 15:15-21:50 | SS Variety 3
Day 4 Afternoon Session | 01:45-05:15 | SS Variety 3
19 July
Day 5 Afternoon Session | 01:50-05:10 | SS Variety 3
20 July
Day 6 Afternoon Session | 00:05-05:00 | SS Variety 3
21 July
Day 7 Afternoon Session | 01:45-05:15 | SS Variety 3
22 July
Day 8 Morning Session | 15:15-18:30 | SS Variety 3
Day 8 Afternoon Session | 01:55-05:20 | SS Variety 3
23 July
Day 9 Morning Session | 18:50-21:55 | SS Variety 3
Day 9 Afternoon Session | 01:10-05:35 | SS Variety 3
24 July
Day 10 Morning Session | 15:15-00:10 | SS Variety 3