Commonwealth Games: Rotich out to hurdle past Accra heartbreak in Glasgow

National 400m hurdles champion Kipkorir Rotich is determined to turn heartbreak into glory at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, after a cruel fall dashed his medal ambitions at the African Championships.

At the continental showpiece in Accra, Ghana, in May, Rotich crashed out in the men's 400m hurdles final after clipping a barrier, eventually crossing the line last in 1:08.56 as his dreams of a place on the podium slipped away.

Botswana's Kemorena Tisang stormed to gold in 48.66, ahead of compatriot Victor Ntweng, who claimed silver in 49.21, while South Africa's Wernich Van Rensburg settled for bronze in 49.35.

Having put that disappointment behind him, Rotich is convinced Glasgow offers the perfect stage for redemption. "I fell at the African Championships and was not able to win a medal, but definitely I will not fall at the Commonwealth Games," said Rotich.

The 28-year-old believes he is in the best shape of his career and is confident he has what it takes to fight for a place on the podium. "Considering my current body shape, I know I am coming back to Kenya with a medal," he added.

Making his maiden Commonwealth Games appearance, Rotich will also have one eye on the clock as he seeks to slash his lifetime best of 48.99, set at Nyayo Stadium during the Kip Keino Classic on April 24. "I want to improve my time, maybe get 48.1, 48.0 or 47.9. I am very capable of running a fast time," he said.

The men's 400m hurdles will open the athletics programme on Monday, with the heats scheduled for 12.10 pm (Kenyan time).

The semi-finals follow on Wednesday at 9.33 pm before the medal showdown on Friday at 11 pm, both in Kenyan time.

Rotich also expressed satisfaction with preparations at the national residential camp in Kasarani, saying the team has enjoyed a smooth build-up to the Games.

"Training has been good. There have been no challenges. We have been well supported and feel ready for Glasgow."

His preparations have centred on sharpening his speed between the barriers and refining his hurdle clearance technique.

"I am working on sharpening my speed and technique over the barriers."

The National Police Service (NPS) athlete is equally pleased with how his 2026 campaign has unfolded. "This year has been very busy for me. It has been good, and I am thankful for how it has turned out."

Rotich has been one of the most consistent performers on the domestic hurdles circuit this season. He opened his campaign at the second Athletics Kenya Weekend Meeting at Thika Stadium in January, producing an impressive hurdles double.

He claimed the 110m hurdles title in 14.6 seconds ahead of Goodwin Odhiambo (15.3) and Edwin Too (15.4), before returning to dominate his 400m hurdles specialty in 50.9, beating Nicholas Kessio (51.2) and Edward Ngunjiri (51.4).

He maintained that rich vein of form at the third Weekend Meeting in Kapsabet, once again completing the double after clocking 51.2 in the 400m hurdles and 14.7 in the 110m hurdles. On April 24, Rotich produced the performance of his career to win the Kip Keino Classic 400m hurdles title in a personal best 48.99.

He later joined Dennis Masika, Erastus Mbaluka and Danson Kibet in Kenya's men's 4x400m relay team at the World Relays in Gaborone, Botswana, where the quartet finished sixth in heat two of the World Championships qualifying round in 3:02.70.

Following the disappointment in Accra, Rotich bounced back in style at the NPS Track and Field Championships, winning both the 400m hurdles in 51.46 and the 110m hurdles in 14.73.

He then sealed his place on the plane to Glasgow by triumphing at the Commonwealth Games trials at Nyayo Stadium on June 20, clocking 49.53 to finish ahead of Wiseman Were (50.39) and Moitalel Mpoke (50.53).