Simbu hones skills ahead of world meet

Dar es Salaam. Long distance runner Alphonce Simbu has thrown down the gauntlet as he focuses on winning gold for Tanzania at the IAAF World Athletics Championship in Doha, Qatar

Simbu said yesterday that his world class performance at the 2016 Summer Olympics was no fluke and that he will be ready to have another fast run in Doha.

The athlete lived up to his reputation as one of the fast-rising marathoners in the world when he finished fifth at the 2016 Summer Olympics in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil. He clocked 2:11.15.

He also won a gold medal in the Mumbai Marathon on January 15, 2017, in India after clocking 2:09:32.

A few months later, the marathoner won a bronze medal in the World Athletics Championship held in London, England, in 2017 after clocking2:09:51.

“I have shown consistency this year. I have no doubts I will deliver gold for my country in the World Championship in Qatar,” he said.

Simbu also clocked 2.09.10 to finish fifth in the 2017 London Marathon in England.

However, he did not compete in a number of international competitions last year his employer refused to release him for the races.

But the athlete believes he still have what it takes to shine in major athletics championships.

Early this year, Simbu became the first local runner to attain qualifying marks for the Tokyo 2020 Olympics following his impressive performance in the Lake Biwa Marathon in Japan.

Simbu and Augustino Sulle secured qualifying marks for the Tokyo Olympics after clocking 2.08.27 and 2.12.42 respectively in the Osaka event.

The two runners are among athletes Tanzanians bank on for top honours in major international competitions.

They are now undergoing intensive preparations ahead of both IAAf World Championship and the 2020 Olympic Games.

“If all goes well, I will compete in both World Championship and Olympic Games in Japan,” said Simbu.