27 Aug 2015

After Botswana failed to win medals in both the 400 and 800 metres events at the ongoing IAAF World Championships in Beijing, China, the nation will now pin their hopes on Kabelo Kgosiemang and the 4 by 400m relay team. At the time of going to print, Kgosiemang, whose personal best (PB) is 2.34 metres, had not started competing.  

But, the high jumper was expected to compete in the qualifications this morning at 345am, where he was anticipated to face a tough competition from the likes of Mutaz Essa Barshim from Qatar. Barshim is ranked number one in the world in high jump with a PB of 2.43m.

There is also Andriy Protsenko of Ukraine whose PB is 2.40m and Canadian Derek Drouin (2.40m) who are both in the same qualification group as Kgosiemang. According to the competition rule, the men’s high jump qualifying height performance is 2.31 or at least 12 best performers.

The 4x 400m relay team will compete in the heats tomorrow at 440am. The team is made up of Onkabetse Nkobolo, Leaname Maotoanong, Nijel Amos, Isaac Makwala, Pako Seribe and Sakarea Kamberuka.

The team’s coach Justice Dipeba told BOPA that Nkobolo will start the race and give the baton to Nijel,who will then pass in to Maotoanong and Makwala is expected to finish the relay. 

He said preparations for the race had gone well and the team was ready to put up a good fight. He said he had talked to the ‘boys,’ and they understood that the race was not easy. Ends