13 Aug 2015

Botswana will send a strong team to the 15^th IAAF World Championships which will be held in Beijing, China, from August 22-30.

The eight-man team comprises 800 metre Commonwealth Games champion Nijel Amos, 400m African champion Isaac Makwala, 400m runner Onkabetse Nkobolo, the 4 by 400 relay team, and experienced high jumper Kabelo Kgosiemang.

Amos, 21, remains the country’s brightest prospect for a medal having performed incredibly well on the track since bursting on the global scene with a silver medal at the Olympic Games in London in 2012.

‘Zoro’, as Amos is affectionately called, is set to start his pursuit for the World Championships medal at 0550hrs on August 22.

He will be making his debut at the World Champions after injury side-lined him from the 2013 event in Russia. 

Despite being a debutant, Amos’ current form suggests that he will have no problems sailing through to the semi-finals that will take place at 1415hrs on August 23, as well as the final on August 25.

The Marobela born athlete has been in great performance. His trail of achievements in the past two years includes setting a meeting record at the 2014 Prefontaine Classic with a time of 1:43.63 and he never looked back, winning the Commonwealth Games, as well as winning the Continental Cup last year.

As if that was not enough, Amos wrapped up the season by being crowned the 800m champion. Now all eyes will be on him in Beijing to see if he would continue with his dominance.
Isaac “Badman” Makwala, the 400m sprinter, is not new in the competition having made his debut in 2007.

In 2007 and 2013 he was part of the 4 by 400 relay team although they failed to make it to the semi-finals.

Makwala has proved to be a force to reckon with and holds the 400m record in Africa with a time of 43.72 seconds.

The second athlete who will be representing Botswana in 400m is Onkabetse “Tolly” Nkobolo. He could be a surprise package in Beijing if his Madrid World Challenge meeting performance was anything to go by.

Nkobolo finished on position two with 45:36 after putting a brave fight coming from the back. In the 4 by 400m relay team Botswana has picked crème de la crème and it will be up to the team’s coach to pick the first four who can bring medal home.

The relay team is made of Amos, Makwala, Nkobolo, Pako Seribe, Leaname Maotoanong, Sakarea Kamperuka, and Unoda Keetile. In high jump Botswana will pin its hopes on Kabelo Kgosiemang, who is also not a new comer to the World Championships. ENDS