Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay bronze medalist Wiseman Were clocked a meet record of 48.57 to win the men’s 400m hurdles at the Nyayo National Stadium, effectively meeting the qualifying mark for the Paris Olympics.
The event, Absa Kip Keino Classic, was sponsored by Absa Bank.
In second place was Kipkorir Rotich who timed a season’s best of 50.39 whereas Edward Ngunjiri who clocked 50.84 – another season’s best.
Were, who will be making his debut at the Olympics, was short of words after his exemplary feat.
“I am happy to have qualified for the Olympics. I had prepared well and it is going to help my preparations for the World Relay Championships,” he said.
Were is also part of Team Kenya’s contingent to next month’s World Relays in Nassau, Bahamas where he will be flying the national flag in the men’s 4x400m alongside Zablon Ekwam, David Sayanek, Boniface Mweresa, Brian Tenega, Moitalel Nadookila, Kelvin Kipkorir, Nathaniel Kipngetich and Kennedy Kimeu.
He was also part of the Kenyan team at March’s African Games in Accra, Ghana where he finished fourth in the men’s 400m.
During the Absa Kip Keino Classic Continental Tour fifth edition, athletes will compete at Gold level earning both prize money and world ranking points.
The yearly tour was launched in 2020 and is taking shape to be a world-class event.
