11 Mar 2016

Botswana 400 metres runners  stole the show and completed the International Women’s Day celebration in style when they claimed all the important three positions in the first meeting of the four-leg Athletics South Africa Nite Series  at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria,  South Africa on Tuesday.

Batswana ladies Lydia Jele, Christine Botlhogetswe and Goitseone Seleka were left to compete against each other in a foreign land.  The race reportedly left spectators begging for more. 

Although Jeanelle Griesel looked a very strong opponent at the start of the race, she was relegated to position four with a time of 55.32. Jele, who started the race at a slow pace, picked up steam in the final 100 metres to win the race with 53.03. Closely behind her was Botlhogetswe with 53.27 while Seleka clocked 53.64.

Botswana continued dominating the meeting when the youthful Boitumelo Masilo came from behind to clinch the 800 metres race, recording 1:47.60, followed by Theodore Nothling with 1:48.00.

On position three was Jabolane Ncamane with 1:48.40. Botswana’s finest 400m runner Isaac Makwala opted to run the 200m race, which he easily won.

His country man, Leaname Maotoanong, finished on position two with 46.12 in the 400 metres race behind Thapelo Phora who clocked 45.64. South African 400metres hurdler, Louis Jacobus van Zyl, scored 46.86 while position four went to Rantie Dikgale with 47.14. In the high jump, Botswana settled for position one and three courtesy of Kabelo Kgosiemang  (2.20) and Gobe Takobane (2.10). Ends