Three-time national 400m hurdles champion Wiseman Were targets a grand debut in the Diamond League circuit next year, a move he believes will sharpen his competitive edge and elevate his status on the global stage.
The 28-year-old says his goal is to open his season in style, featuring on the world’s most competitive track series.
“My target for next season is to compete in the Diamond League. People have been asking, "Where is Wiseman in the Diamond League?” Were said.
“So next year I will be there. It’s the perfect stage to fine-tune my form and get everything right.”
The 2026 Diamond League campaign kicks off on May 8 in Doha, before heading to China for back-to-back legs in Shanghai (May 16) and Xiamen (May 23).
Were hopes the experience against world-class fields will serve as the ideal build-up for a packed 2026 calendar featuring the Commonwealth Games and the African Senior Championships.
“I am really looking forward to the next year since we have the Commonwealth and the African Championships coming up,” he added.
“We all know what it takes to win medals at that level. With consistency and belief, I know I can deliver one for myself and the country.”
The Club Games are slated for July 23 to August 2 in Glasgow, Scotland, while the 24th African Senior Championships will take place in Accra, Ghana, with dates yet to be confirmed.
At the Birmingham 2022 Commonwealth Games, Were teamed up with Mike Mokamba, Boniface Mweresa and William Rayian to bag bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay after clocking 3:02.41.
The quartet finished behind Trinidad and Tobago (3:01.29) and Botswana (3:01.85). In his speciality, the 400m hurdles, Were finished fourth in 50.27.
The Virgin Islands’ Kyron McMaster clinched gold in 48.93, with Jaheel Hyde (49.78) of Jamaica and Britain’s Alastair Chalmers (49.97) completing the top three.
At the 2024 African Championships in Douala, the Kenyan speedster once again fell short of the medal places, finishing fourth in 49.92.
Botswana’s Victor Ntweng (48.88) and Kemorena Tisang (49.24) took gold and silver, while Algeria’s Abdelmalik Lahoulou (49.36) secured bronze.
In addition, Were has his eyes on the national 400m hurdles record.
“I am also targeting the national record. It’s all about maintaining a positive mindset, putting in the hard work and getting the right support,” he said.
“My current best is 48.27, and with consistency and effort, I know I can bring it down further.”
The current national mark over the 400m hurdles is 47.78 seconds set by 2016 Olympic silver medallist Boniface Mucheru during his second place finish in Rio.
Were's 48.27 came while finishing fifth in the heats at the 2025 World Championships in September.
Were’s confidence is rooted in his steady improvement over the years.
“I can see my progression in the hurdles has been good so far. I started with 53 seconds, dropped to 50, then 49, and now I have run a couple of 48 seconds. There’s a lot of growth and that gives me belief,” he noted.
