Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay bronze medallist Wiseman Were has vowed to electrify the Moi Stadium Kasarani stands and storm the 400-meter hurdles title during the upcoming Kip Keino Classic tour on May 13.
Were, 25, asked his ardent home fans to swarm the 60,000-seat multi-sports venue and roar him on as he goes full throttle for the coveted gold in the widely anticipated global finale.
He pledged to channel his inner beast and repeat his feats from the previous year when he obliterated the competition and blazed to the under-20 championship at the same venue.
"At the Kip Keino Classic, I'll compete in the 400-meter hurdles, and I'm well-prepared and ready for it. You'll adore it, I'm certain," Were asserted.
His season got off to a great start in South Africa a week ago, and he reckons the performance provided him the confidence he needs to leave the track irreparably battered and tattered on his way to a historic conquest.
"My trip to South Africa was enjoyable. I performed admirably; my speed and technique were excellent. I'm going for the performance I did there and I'm going to make things happen.
"On May 13, I'm going to drop something significant at Moi Stadium in Kasarani. My target time is less than 49 seconds," he quipped.
Already boasting an impressive personal best of 49.09, Were's most recent accomplishment is a third-place finish during last weekend's Botswana Grand Prix where he ran 49.29 seconds.
This occurred right after another mesmerising on-track show of dexterity during the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix. Were raced to victory in Pretoria on April 12 in an incredible 49.23 seconds, and a week later, he finished third in Johannesburg with a time of 49.78.
Were described his recent African sojourn as a ruthless test of nerves where he daringly threw the gauntlet to the rest of the continental behemoths in what turned out to be back-to-back cutthroat duels.
"Botswana and South Africa provided me with valuable experience. Competing against some of the best sprinters from the continent and winning while posting good times boosted my self-belief. I praise God since putting on such performances was not simple."
His sight is still set on Budapest, Hungary, the host of this year's World Championships, where he will be aiming for a podium finish.
"August isn't far away, so I want to keep working hard in the meantime." I'm excited to go to Budapest and am prepared to do so. I was disappointed to miss out on a trip to Oregon last year, and I hope to make amends with a strong performance in Budapest," Were remarked.
After Budapest, Were's next stop will be the 2024 Summer Olympics in Paris where he will be eyeing a podium finish in his maiden appearance.
