Rwanda athletics team captain Dieudonne Disi has vowed to beat off defending champion, Zernessy Tadesse in the 2nd edition of the World Road running championships in Udine Italy next weekend.

Disi told Times Sport through an e-mail mid this week that he is undergoing intensive training in the high plateaus of Belgium preparing to launch an attack at dethroning Eritrean champion Tadesse for this year’s world championship title.

Disi said, "I have really noticed a drastic improvement since last month and I think with my current form I can be able to challenge Tadesse because he is the defending champion and my wish to break into the medal brackets in Italy next week.”

"It is not always easy to beat him off but with the current training that I’m going through, I hope to be at my best in time for the championship. I am desperate to win something for my country,” he added.

Disi acknowledged that the company of team mates, with no doubt will lift his confidence and spirit in challenging Tadesse.

Tadesse continued his fine form in 2007 capturing the World Cross Country Championship titles in Mombasa in March with Disi finishing after 21 positions.

Since then his campaign have seen the Eritrean, who is the Olympic 10,000m bronze medallist, come just short of the World Championship track podium over 10,000m in Osaka (4th) while Disi failed to go past the heat stages.

With Tadesse assured of another fine display of road running from some of the world’s best, Disi has also started through rough and intensive training to be assured of a better performance.

Meanwhile, fellow country team mates including Felix Ntirenganya, Slyvain Rukundo, Gervais Hakizimana, Epiphanie Nyirabarame, Angelline Nyiransabimana and Claudette Mukasakindi are undergoing rigorous training in high altitudes of Ruhengeri, Northern Province.

Head coach Adolph Rukenkanya said yesterday that the athletes are doing well and that morale in high in camp ahead of the Udine event.

Other member on the team, Serge Gasore is also under the same training session in the US, according to news reaching Times Sport from the Rwanda Athletics Federation.
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