30 May 2016

Botswana’s 400 metre sprinter, Isaac Makwala finished on position three after cloaking 45:37 in a Diamond League meet held in Eugene.

Position one went to Kirani James of Grenada recording 44:22, followed by USA’s LaShawn Merritt with 44:39.

During the race, it was evident that should Makwala sharpen his finishing techniques, he could defeat both James and Merritt.
However, his coach Justice Dipeba is not yet worried about Makwala’s performance. He told BOPA that the athlete was on the right track, given that he was consistent in all his races.

He said consistency in athletics was very important  adding that normally Makwala takes time to click.
 The coach further said he was also happy that he was running much better than he was running last year at around this time.

“I would like him to reach the peak performance towards the end of June or beginning of July. I am happy with his performance although he still needs to polish few things, like the finishing technique,” he said.

As for the Olympic 800 metres silver medalist, Nijel Amos it seems Eugene never loved him. It  was at the same place when he was beaten hands down last year by Ethiopian Mohammed Aman recording 1:44:92 while Nijel finished on position two with 1:45:06.

On Saturday, Nijel had a score to settle but that was not to be as he was let down by fever, hence he had to pull out of the race.
He however told BOPA that he did not want to take a risk as his body was “telling me something else.”

“I like to always give my best each time I am on track but if I can't, I don't want to force things. It’s either all or nothing, and I don’t know when I will be back on track, mind you my health is more important, the goal is the Olympics,” he said.
According to a research by sports medicine specialist of Charleston, Dr David Geier, “it is very dangerous for any athlete to compete whilst attacked by fever as it can hamper their strength and endurance.”

He said fever had many musculoskeletal effects that decrease athletic performance, and it had been shown to be associated with decreased muscle strength, endurance and exercise tolerance and increased perceived fatigue. Ends