Rwanda’s marathoner John Hakizimana has said that he is positive he can do his ‘very best’ and shine at the men’s marathon race slated on the final day of the Tokyo 2020 Games. The Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games are closing on Sunday, August 8, and marathon is one of the competitions scheduled to close the world’s most prestigious event. Hakizimana flew to Tokyo alongside four other Rwandan representatives hoping to end the countrys Olympic medal jinx since Rwanda’s first appearance in the Olympic Games in 1984. However, his four compatriots including cyclist Moise Mugisha, middle and long-distance runner Marthe Yankurije as well as swimming duo Eloi Maniraguha and Alphonsine Agahozo were sent home empty handed. All eyes are now on the APR Athletics club runner who runs on Sunday, departing from Sapporo Odori Park at 00:00 Kigali Time. Prior to the race, Hakizimana said that he has prepared enough to pose a major threat to his opponents and is ready to fight to the finish line. “Am ready for the marathon. I had time to explore the itinerary before the race and I am ready to do my best to make my country proud,” Hakizimana said. He goes into the race with a personal best of 2:11:00 in the marathon race which he posted in 2019 when he won bronze at the World Military Games in Wuhan, China. The same times were enough for the 25-year-old to win a ticket to the Tokyo 2020 Games. His participation in the Tokyo 2020 Games will be his first experience ever to compete with the world’s elite in the Olympic Games, just like his brother Robert Kajuga did. The veteran retired from athletics two years ago.
