Rising sprint prodigy Dennis Mwai is hoping to leave his mark in his maiden World Championship appearance for Kenya under the 4x100m relay squad.
The 20-year-old was named in a seven-man squad unveiled by Athletics Kenya, with the nation chasing its first-ever World Championships medal in the relay event.
Spearheading the squad is Africa's fastest man, Ferdinand Omanyala, joined by Steve Odhiambo, national champion Meshack Babu, former world record holder Mark Otieno, alongside youngsters Mwai, Clinton Aluvi and Isaac Omurwa.
Kenya booked its ticket to the global showpiece after making history at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China, on May 11.
The quartet of Boniface Mweresa, Omanyala, Babu and Odhiambo clocked 38.51 seconds during the second day of World Championship qualifiers to book a maiden ticket to the bonanza.
Before that, the quartet had set a national record of 38.35 on May 10 during the first day of qualifiers.
For Mwai, Tokyo presents not just a debut but a chance to etch his name in the country’s sprinting story. "I feel good being part of this squad. It's a dream come true," Mwai said.
He hopes that the selected squad is strong enough to jostle for medals against the world's top guns.
"Sprints have not been performing well globally, but we are on the right track and we expect good results to come," he added.
In Tokyo, the Kenyan squad will square off against defending champions the USA, who hold the most titles in the relay event with nine.
Also qualified for Tokyo are continental heavyweights South Africa, Great Britain and Canada.
The 4x100m heats will be on September 20, with the finals set to be the closing event of the Championships on September 21.
The young speedster believes the blend of youth and experience will give Kenya the edge.
"We are learning every day in training, and Clinton is part of the younger athletes; he just finished school last year."
He noted that they are slowly adapting to the senior competitive ranks through the experience they are gaining in training.
"We are seeing new things we haven't really been used to, and we are getting to know more about sprints and what the bigger athletes do to be where they are," he said.
Mwai, one of the earlier recruits of the Omanyala foundation, also highlighted the importance of being under the wings of the speedster.
"I am in the Omanyala foundation, and it has been really supporting me in my sprint career."
He further noted that the foundation has been a backbone to him, providing him with training kits and shoes.
"They have been providing me with spikes and running kits, and I am really grateful for that."
