The National Police Service (NPS) athlete has been a familiar and consistent figure on the domestic hurdles circuit
National 400m hurdles champion Kipkorir Rotich is determined to make 2026 a season of resurgence after missing out on global and continental assignments last year.
The National Police Service (NPS) athlete has been a consistent figure on the domestic hurdles circuit, and his early-season performances suggest he is ready to mount a serious comeback.
At the second Athletics Kenya weekend meeting at Thika Stadium in January, the 28-year-old delivered an impressive double victory in the hurdles events.
Rotich won the 110m hurdles in 14.6 seconds, finishing ahead of Goodwin Odhiambo (15.3) and Edwin Too (15.4).
He then switched to his specialist 400m hurdles, clocking 50.9 to beat Nicholas Kessio (51.2) and Edward Ngunjiri (51.4).
He maintained that strong form at the third weekend meeting in Kapsabet, once again completing a double. Rotich timed 51.2 in the 400m hurdles and 14.7 in the 110m hurdles, underscoring his consistency.
He believes the strong start sends a clear message of intent.
“This is a good result for me. I am happy with the double win and hope I can achieve more,” he said.
Rotich attributes his longevity in the physically demanding hurdles events to discipline and belief.
“In athletics, you have to have confidence and faith in whatever you do to get good results,” he added.
His 2025 season, however, was mixed.
He opened his campaign at the trials for the World Relay Championships, lining up in the 4x400m mixed relay alongside Michael Nzuku, Sarah Bosibori and Gladys Ngure. The quartet finished second behind Uganda, who clocked 3:19.93, and Rotich ultimately missed out on selection for the global relays showpiece.
He then returned to his specialist event at the sixth AK weekend meeting at the Ulinzi Sports Complex, winning the 400m hurdles in 50.08. Nzuku finished second in 51.03, with Ngunjiri third in 51.14.
Rotich later competed at the Kip Keino Classic, where he clocked 49.17 to secure a podium finish. Wiseman Were won in 48.34, while Botswana’s Kemorena Tisang placed second in 48.59.
At the National Championships, Rotich was unable to defend the title he had claimed in 2024, finishing second in 49.66 behind Were’s winning time of 49.29. Peter Muthoka came third in 50.97.
Another setback followed at the World Championship trials.
Although Rotich won the race in 50.79 ahead of Ngunjiri (50.82) and Kessio (51.43), his time fell short of the 48.50 entry standard for the World Championships in Tokyo, denying him qualification.
The 2025 season proved quieter compared to 2024, when he proudly wore national colours at the continental level.
He represented Kenya at the African Championships in Douala, Cameroon, where he exited at the heats stage of the 400m hurdles after clocking 51.52 to finish fifth in his race.