RWANDA’S promising long distance runner Sylvain Rukundo has confirmed his readiness to put on a better showing at the 3rd IAAF World Half Marathon race set for October 12 in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil.

Rukundo, who is undergoing intensive training in Ruhengeri, Northern Province told Times Sport recently that his ambitions this year is to improve on his performance from last year’s edition held in Italy.

Rukundo together with Alexis Nzeyimana are in Ruhengeri high altitude area shaping up for this year’s event.

"We have trained heavily since last month and am positive about putting on a better performance this year in Brazil,” Rukundo said.

Both Rukundo and Nzeyimana are expected to be joined by European based trio of Dieudonne Disi, Gervais Hakizimana and lone female member on the team Angelline Nyiransabimana.

On the five-man squad which will head to Brazil next week, Nzeyimana is the only athlete who will be making his debut in the World half marathon.

In last year’s edition held in Italy, Disi finished posted a national record by clocking 59:32 to finish in sixth overall position in a race which was won by Eritrea’s Zersenay Tadeese in a time of 58:59.

Rukundo clocked his personal best time of 1:01:59 thus finishing in 26th position while Hakizimana also clocked his personal best time of 1:02:43 and finished in 38th position.

Rwanda had two runners in the female category of Epiphanie Nyirabarame and Nyiransabimana.

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