NAIROBI, Kenya, May 6 – Commonwealth Games 4x400m relay bronze medalist Wiseman Were says his latest excellent form on the track does not come as a surprise to him considering the hard work he has been putting in training for the last seven years.
Were said it has been a treacherous but fulfilling journey for him in athletics as he strives to become one of the best Kenyan sprinters on the continent and the globe.
“I wouldn’t say it is a shock for me because I know what I want and that is to be at the highest level. It has been a silent journey and I know where I am headed to…I think it was the right time for me to achieve the things I have achieved right now,” Were said.
He added: “For people out there to see and say that I am in good form, it shows that the fruits of my hard work are starting to appear…and that motivates and excites me a lot. I am ready for it (to go to the next level).”
Were has been one of the poster boys of Kenya’s emerging stature as a springboard of sprinters, notching impressive performances on the continental scene.
The latest feather in his cap is a third-place finish at last weekend’s Botswana Grand Prix where he clocked 49.29 in the men’s 400m hurdles.
It came on the backdrop of another headline-worthy performance at the Athletics South Africa (ASA) Grand Prix in South Africa where he emerged first and second in the two legs of the World Continental Tour event.
Were clocked 49.23 to win the men’s 400m hurdles on April 12 in Pretoria before timing 49.78 in third, a week later in Johannesburg.
He said his recent African adventure had been a test of his nerves as he sought to test his strengths against his continental peers.
“Botswana and South Africa were good exposure for me…competing against other sprinters from the continent and winning against them while posting good times. I thank God because it wasn’t easy to put up such performances. With the seven years of experience I have in athletics, I think I had to be calm and believe in myself all through,” the 25-year-old said.
His eyes remain trained on Budapest, Hungary – the host of this year’s World Championships – where he will be hoping to make the podium.
As Budapest continues to occupy his mind, last year’s World Championships in Oregon still lingers in his subconscious after he missed out on the opportunity to make his debut at the global showpiece.
“For me, Budapest counts as a second ever appearance for me at the World Championships considering I was scheduled to be at Oregon but couldn’t travel there. There is not much time between now and August and I want to keep working hard towards it. I am ready to be in Budapest and looking forward to it…after Budapest, my destination is the Paris Olympics in 2024,” Were said.
Before Budapest, Were will be at the Moi International Sports Centre on May 13 for the fourth edition of the Kip Keino Classic, which brings together hundreds of athletes from across the world.
