01 Jun 2016

Botswana's upcoming and promising 400 metre runner Baboloki Thebe, will  share track with world's finest at Birmingham Diamond League which will be staged at Alexander Stadium on June 5.

Baboloki proved to be a force to reckon with when he pulled a big surprise and qualified for Rio, in his debut 400 metres race clocking 45.23 in the Private Tertiary Institutions Association athletics championship held at the University of Botswana in March.

 Just two weeks ago in Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) national championships he clocked 44.22 a time that makes him the second fastest junior athlete all-time in the 400m. 

Now on Sunday, Thebe will face his fellow countryman Isaac Makwala, Grenadian sprinter’s Kirani James and Bralon Taplin, Great Britain will be represented by Jarryd Dunn, Matthew Hudson-Smith, and Rabah Yousif, while Vernon Norwood will represent United States of America. 

It will be Thebe’sfirst  Diamond League individual race, notwithstanding that he competed in the Botswana 4x400m men relay team that finished on position one with 3:02.29, scooped in an IAAF Diamond League meeting held in Doha in May.

Now he will be on his own. He however told BOPA that he was going to enjoy his race without pressure.

Thebe further said he knew most of the athletes he would be competing against given that he had been watching and monitoring their progress on television.

“To be honest I am not under any pressur. My mission is to go there and enjoy the race, clock a good time if I win the race it will be a big bonus for me," he said.

Thebe further said sharing the same track with top 400 metres athletes would be a motivating factor for him adding that he would also use the opportunity as a learning curve.

His coach Mogomotsi Otsetswe said they had prepared well for the race and he had told the athlete to relax as Diamond League meeting does not differ from other competitions.

“One thing I like about Gman, is that he takes instructions very well and he doesn’t like to lose a race that's what motivates me and I am confident that he will clock a good time," he said.

Otsetswe further said he was aware that Thebe would be competing with top athletes, adding that they were going to Birmingham to compete not idolise or give them respect. Ends