Akamkwene hopes to make the 800m final at the FISU World Games

Peter Akemkwene’s ambition to qualify for this year’s World Athletics Championship in Japan in September could see him surpass expectations during this year’s FISU World University Games in Germany.

The 25-year-old Ndejje University Bachelor of Education student will compete in the 800, 1500, and 4x100m events in Germany with an eye on making the qualifying time for the World Championship.

His personal best in the 1500m (3:49) is just 16 seconds shy of the qualifying time (3:33.0) in the 3 and three-quarter laps event. His season and personal best in his favourite 800m race is a 1:47.32, achieved during the 23rd Akii Bua Memorial Invitational Meeting held at the Mandela National Stadium in June, which he hopes to better in next week’s championship in the Rhine-Ruhr region. This is Akemkwene’s second outing in the Universiade, having represented at the Chengdu championship in China two years ago.

He finished second in 1:52.21 in the first of six heats in China to make the semis, where he stopped with a disqualification.

But he is the best university athlete in East Africa in both the 800 and 1500 events, having won double gold in Kisumu last year.

“In Germany I want to improve on my personal record and pick up new lessons in the event. I think I can make the finals because I also have ambitions of qualifying for the World Championship in Japan in September, if God allows. I think I can scoop something from there,” Akemkwene said.

Ronald Musagala has been the inspiration behind his performances.

“He was the very person I knew in athletics through my coach Bosco Anena. The way he runs and everything he does on the track is what I try to emulate. I love his running style and everything he does while running,” Akemkwene stated.

Akemkwene has been an athlete since his primary five and is currently enjoying full bursary at Ndejje University. He started serious running in 2018 while in Senior 4 at Kitgum Alliance College under coach Jimmy Monday Odongkara before coach Bosco Anena brought him to Ndejje.