Jesse Okal is looking forward to his international elite debut this afternoon when he lines up against seven other competitors in the Bonaqua Troutbeck African Triathlon Union Cup Elite Men event scheduled for 1 pm.
In July, the 21-year-old, who recently raced in the Zonal Championships back home in Watamu, Mombasa, is excited about leaving boyhood competition and graduating into a man.
Zimbabwe being his launch pad into international stardom, he has paid tribute to its hospitable people and the professionalism that has been exhibited so far, making him feel at home away from home.
“Zimbabwe is great. This is the first time being here though the weather is a bit harsh for us. Where I come from is a bit hot, and I’m still trying to adapt to the weather,” Okal told EnterSportNews.
“We tried the swim yesterday (Friday). It was a bit cold, but hopefully, the temperature will be favourable today during the race. I have done the swim, run and a bit of cycling, but so far, so good I have had a great experience.”
And just as he wanted it, today, the weather is very friendly here at Troutbeck with a bit of sunshine as opposed to Friday.
However, Okal’s international debut suffered minor setbacks following the withdrawal of his fellow countryman Soud Hassan Soud who could not make it to Zimbabwe.
“It is hard your know (the withdrawal of Spud). When you compete with your teammate, you sometimes tend to push each other. Once you have trained with somebody and you are on the course with him during the race together, then you able to improve your time and you can work together,” he said.
“For example, in the cycle, you can draft together, which would be good, but, unfortunately, he wasn’t able to make it for the race.”
He is looking forward to making it into the top five on his debut.
“If I’m in the top five, that will be a great accomplishment especially being my first international event. One to five will be a great accomplishment for me.”
Okal is an active member of the Strathmore swimming team, having started competing in the sport at the age of four.
At eight years, Okal was representing the Kenya Swimming Federation National championship in Kasarani, Nairobi.
