The 2024 African 4x400m silver medallist Brian Tinega has the national 400m record in his sights as he prepares for what he expects to be an explosive 2026 season.
The national mark stands at 44.18 seconds, set by the late Samson Kitur at the 1992 Barcelona Olympic Games, where he clinched bronze.
Tinega boasts a personal best of 44.67 seconds clocked during the national championships on June 27.
The 22-year-old’s hunger follows his maiden appearance at the Tokyo World Championships last month, a campaign that left him wiser and more motivated.
In his individual race, Tinega narrowly missed out on the semifinals after finishing his heat in 45.13 seconds for sixth place.
He also featured in the Kenyan 4x400m mixed relay squad alongside Mary Moraa, Mercy Oketch and Allan Kipyego, but the team was disqualified in the heats after a lane infringement.
Tinega remains upbeat, describing the Tokyo experience as a turning point.
“Competing in Tokyo was so nice. I thank God that I had qualified for my individual race, the 400m,” he said.
A hamstring strain picked up while in Tokyo threatened to derail his campaign, but Tinega says he is now fully recovered and already plotting his comeback.
“I got to Tokyo in good health but picked up a hamstring injury,” he revealed.
“It has healed and I am hoping to come back stronger. After Tokyo, I started loading and I see that my body is responding well.”
Now sharper, hungrier and bolder, Tinega is eyeing a big milestone, dipping under 44 seconds.
“My big target is to run sub-44 seconds and break the national record,” he declared.
He has been consistent this season. In May, he was part of Kenya’s 4x400m mixed relay team, alongside David Sanayek, Mercy Chebet and Oketch, where they bagged bronze in 3:13.10 at the World Relay Championships in Guangzhou, China, finishing behind the USA (3:09.54) and Australia (3:12.20).
Later that month, he stormed to victory at the Kip Keino Classic, powering to a 45.06 finish in the national 400m race ahead of Kelvin Kipkorir (45.29) and Kelvin Tonui (45.58).
He improved to clock 44.67 at the national championships, behind winner George Mutinda (44.51).
Tinega is fine-tuning for the season ahead under coach Ian Dexter.
“My build-up for next year has begun and it is going on well. I am working closely with my coach so he can help me achieve my goals,” he said.
Meanwhile, he wants the younger generation to exercise discipline if they are to chase glory on the global scene.
“To the young upcoming athletes, they need to be focused and disciplined so that they can be champions of the future,” he advised.
