African Games: Heartbreak for Kenya as Wiseman Were misses out on 400m hurdles medal

Kenya's hopes of clinching a medal in the men's 400m hurdles in the ongoing African Games in Accra were crushed on Thursday evening at the University of Ghana Sports Stadium after the only Kenyan in the race Wiseman Were finished fourth missing out on the medal bracket.

Were, came close to clinching the bronze medal but lost to Hinti Saad of Morocco and the Botswana duo of Ntweng Victor Bonnye and Tisang Kemorona.

Saad clocked 48.82 to set a national record while Ntweng and Tisang timed 49.38 and 50.09 respectively. Mukhobe raced to a time of 50.10, a second shot of third-placed Tisang.

The 2022 Commonwealth bronze medalist with Kenya's 4 x 400m relay team sprinted past his competitors in the last 100m and seemed destined for gold going to the final 50 meters.

With few meters to completion, the Kenyan appeared to be in pain after stumbling on the hurdle at a time when he was firmly in contention for a medal.

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Meanwhile, two-time national champion Mbagari Esther clocked 24.31 to qualify for the 200m finals as one of the fastest losers after finishing sixth in the race.

Nigerian Olajide Olayinka won the race with a time of 23.55 ahead of Mahlalela Sakhile, Sebele Bakani, Semedo Gorete and Ndawana Haitembu

Samuel Chege Waweru will fly the Kenyan flag in the men’s 200m finals after overpowering stiff competition from Malawian Liffa Stern Noel to clock 21.14 and book a place in the event set for Friday.

Chege will be the sole Kenyan in the finals after his compatriot Hesborne Ochieng failed to make the cut. The Kenya prison runner position overall with a time of 21.55 while coming seventh in his heat.

400m men's hurdles results

Hinti Saad NR 48.82

Ntweng Victor Bonnye 49.38

Tisang Kemorena 50.09

Were Wiseman 50.10

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