26 Aug 2015

“People don’t win because they are physically stronger, people win because they are mentally stronger.”

These are the words that Isaac Makwala’ s coach, Justice Dipeba told him before the ‘Badman’ blitzed into the IAAF Championships 400 metres final with the semi-finals best time of 44:11 seconds on Monday August 24.

 The final will be held today at 3:25 pm.According to Dipeba, they had a detailed plan on how Makwala was going to run the race and he executed the plan perfectly.

“The last thing I said to him when we parted at the call room was enjoy you big man,” Dipeba said in an interview.Now the question is will Makwala continue with his operation “ke moo” and bring a medal home. 

Any medal regardless of colour will put a smile in the faces of Batswana. We are a victory loving nation after all.

With a top qualifying time, ‘Badman’ has the potential to bring a medal home. He is on top form and his performance graph clearly illustrates this as he consistently records sub 45 seconds time in his races. However, Makwala and Dipeba are aware of the hurdles ahead.

 It is not going to be an easy race for the sprinter because he is pitted against the 400 metres Olympics gold medalist, and the United States’ LaShawn Meritt who has proven over time that he is a hard nut to crack.

The other threat will come from South African Wayde van Niekerk, who broke Makwala’s African record of 44.01 with 43.96 at the IAAF Diamond League meeting in July. However, Makwala was quick to snatch back his record in less than 24 hours when he responded with a spectacular performance of 43:72 in Switzerland.

Makwala will be on lane four, Kirani James on five, Wayde van Niekerk on six. Ends