World Athletics Championships 2025: Wiseman Were Sneaks Into 400mH Semifinals Alongside Rai Benjamin and Co

The men's 400m hurdles heats at the World Athletics Championships 2025 in Tokyo, Japan, were one for the books, with top stars including Olympic champion Rai Benjamin, former champion Karsten Warhom, Wiseman Were and Alison Dos Santos looking to secure their tickets to the semifinal.

According to World Athletics, the first four to cross the finish line in each heat qualify, and the fastest four non-automatic qualifiers will make it to the semifinal.

Wiseman Were, after bowing out in the semifinal of the 2023 global showpiece in Budapest, Hungary, was lining up to ensure he makes it to the final this time around, and hopefully even walk away with a medal.

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The first heat saw Abderrahman Samba claim top honours, having a spectacular start to cross the finish line in 48.03 seconds. Tyri Donovan of the Great Britain came from behind to take second in a personal best time of 48.26 seconds.

American Chris Robinson, who had held onto second for the better part of the race was forced to take third in 48.27 seconds with Jamaica's Malik James-King giving his all to settle for fourth in 48.27 seconds.

Kenya's Wiseman Were was left in the blocks, but put in the much-needed effort to secure a fifth place, clocking a personal best time of 48.27 seconds too.

The second heat, comprising Alison Dos Santos, a former world champion who claimed the top honours in 2022, was one for the books. Dos Santos looked relaxed when the gun went off and maintained the momentum to the finish line but was forced to finish second.

Bassem Hemeida stunned the heat favourite to win the race, clocking 48.43 seconds ahead of the Brazilian who timed 48.48 seconds. Owe Fischer-Breiholz came in third in 48.81 seconds with Matic Ian Gucek of Slovenia finishing fourth in 48.92 seconds.

The first heat remained the fastest, with Wiseman Were having his fingers crossed to make it to the semifinal just like he did in Budapest.

The 400m hurdles world record holder, Karsten Warholm, headlined the third heat, having only lost one race this season, at the Diamond League Meeting in Stockholm, where he finished third.

Warholm was on the outside lane, minding his own business as usual, and he just needed to do what he does to make the semi final. However, he was stunned, being pushed to third by new names.

Matheus Lima of Brazil claimed the win in 48.15 seconds ahead of Ismail Abakar who came in second in 48.34. Karsten Warholm rounded up the podium in 48.56 seconds. Berke Ackam came in fourth, also securing a place in the semifinal.

Reigning Olympic 400m hurdles Rai Benjamin, competing in heat four, has also maintained a good run, finishing second in two of his races while winning the rest.

Jamaica's Roshawn Clarke, just 21, was also lining up, looking to make an impact for his country and hopefully improve the national record.

Rai Benjamin, without a doubt, claimed the win dominantly in 48.15 seconds as Germany's Emil Agyekum, following in 48.33. Victor Ntweng of Botswana sealed the podium in a personal best time of 48.54 seconds.

Gerald Drummond took fourth spot in 48.81 seconds as Roshawn Clarke finished fifth, waiting for the non-automatic qualifiers.

Nigeria's Ezekiel Nathaniel put up a good fight to reign supreme in the last heat, timing 48.37 seconds to cross the finish line ahead of American Caleb Dean and Brazil's Fransisco Dos Reis Viana who clocked 48.67 seconds and a personal best time of 48.69 respectively.

Alastair Chalmers got the job done, qualifying to the semifinal after finishing fourth in 48.86 seconds.

Following the conclusion of the heats, Wiseman Were was among the fastest non-automatic qualifiers and now has a chance to pursue his dream to making the final.