Wiseman Were sets target ahead of AK National Championships and Trials
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Reading Time: 2min | Wed. 17.06.26. | 12:08
Beyond qualification, Were will be seeking redemption at the Commonwealth Games after narrowly missing an individual medal in Birmingham 2022
Defending national champion Wiseman Were has set his sights on fast times and Commonwealth Games qualification when the Athletics Kenya National Championships and Trials get underway from Thursday, 18 to Saturday, 20 June, at Nyayo National Stadium.
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The 2022 African Championships 400m hurdles bronze medallist will return to defend both his men's 400m hurdles and 110m hurdles titles, while chasing a place in Team Kenya for the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland.
Were enjoyed a dominant outing at last year's championships, winning the 110m hurdles in 14.11 seconds ahead of William Mutunga (14.78) and Godwin Odhiambo (15.50) before claiming the 400m hurdles crown in 49.29, finishing ahead of Kipkorir Rotich (49.66) and Peter Muthoka (50.97).
The 29-year-old has once again entered both hurdle races and says his priority is producing quick times rather than simply retaining his titles.
"I am looking forward to delivering a fast time because I believe in my training and what I have been doing," said Were in an interview with Athletics Kenya. "With a positive mindset, it's going to happen."
The experienced hurdler is confident he can lower his personal best of 48.27, achieved last year, after focusing heavily on improving his speed and technique.
"At the moment, I know my body is moving well. I have done a personal best of 48.2," he said.
"I have worked on my speed and technique, so with the right frame of mind at the trials, I believe I can post a better time."
Beyond qualification, Were will be seeking redemption at the Commonwealth Games after narrowly missing an individual medal in Birmingham 2022. He finished fourth in the men's 400m hurdles final in 50.27, with Kyron McMaster taking gold in 48.93 ahead of Jamaica's Jaheel Hyde (49.78) and Britain's Alastair Chalmers (49.97).
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He, however, left Birmingham with a bronze medal after combining with Mike Mokamba, Boniface Mweresa and William Rayian to finish third in the men's 4x400m relay in 3:02.41 behind Trinidad and Tobago and Botswana.
The battle for the hurdle titles is expected to be intense, with last year's 400m hurdles silver medallist Kipkorir Rotich among the leading challengers. Rotich recently competed at the African Senior Championships, where he finished eighth in the final, and is also entered in the 110m hurdles as well as the men's and mixed 4x400m relay events.
Edward Ngunjiri and William Mutunga are also expected to contend for podium places, setting the stage for a highly competitive showdown in the hurdles at Nyayo National Stadium.
