Diamond League 2026: Kebinatshipi Ready to Challenge Van Niekerk’s Monaco Record

Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi believes the men’s 400m field at Friday’s Diamond League meeting in Monaco is capable of breaking the long-standing meeting record set by South African sprint legend Wayde van Niekerk.

Van Niekerk’s mark of 43.77 seconds has stood since 2015, but Kebinatshipi is confident the quality of this year’s field could produce a faster performance.

“It’s possible. We just have to go out there and do what we have to do,” Kebinatshipi said ahead of the meeting.

“The field is very strong and I wouldn’t be surprised if two or three of us run faster than the meeting record.”

The Botswana sprinter heads to Monaco in impressive form after clocking a personal best of 43.54 seconds at the Diamond League meeting in Eugene.

Despite the breakthrough performance, he believes there is still room for improvement.

“I wouldn’t say I’m already in my best shape. We haven’t done the last training block of the season yet,” he said.

“Running 43.5 seconds showed us what we could achieve towards the end of the season. I didn’t expect it. I was a little bit relaxed during the first half of the race, but it’s all about the execution.”

Kebinatshipi also dismissed suggestions that he could target a sub-20-second performance in the 200m this year, insisting his attention remains solely on the 400m.

“I’m often asked this question. This season, we are only focusing on the 400m,” he said.

“Unfortunately, the 200m is not on my programme this year. Maybe next season you’ll see me more in the 200m.”