07 Aug 2017

Three Batswana athletes made history at the IAAF World Championship by qualifying for the final in their different events on August 6.

In 400 metres, Baboloki Thebe and Isaac Makwala ensured that Botswana will be represented today in the final, while Nijel Amos will battle it out in 800 metres.

Makwala finished first with a time of 44:30, Thebe came second in 44:33 and Amos finished on position two in 1:46:29.

In the road to qualification to the final, Thebe had to overcome one of the USA’s greatest runner, LaShwawn Merritt and Great Britain’s Matthew Hudson-Smith who was enjoying home ground advantage.

However, the Ramonaka born athlete proved that he was class as he managed to match the world record holder Wade van Niekerk and finished on position two.

As for Amos, he had to fight for a qualification spot after overcoming the obstacles staged by his competitors and sprinted to the finish line.

Sport journalists, Bapati Mmotlanyane said Makwala sailed to the finals with ease, adding that the only difference was his stagger on the back-straight and top bend given that he put much energy to ensure he comes out tops on the homestretch and it was never in doubt.

“Personally I think Makwala has developed the confidence of winning and that could be very crucial for the final,” he said     

Talking about Thebe, he said the athlete pulled a rabbit out of the hat performance, adding that bookmakers were not giving him the chance to make it through on the automatic spot.

He said the fact that he was on the inside lane of Van Niekerk and Merritt, one would have thought he was going to chase.

Furthermore, he said Thebe ran a well planned race and technically executed the technique of sprinting, adding that he kept his calm and swift strides on the back-straight and kicked on the final 150 metres just when the rest of the field was starting to tire.

“And at one point you would have thought he was going take it, but Van Niekerk just did enough to keep him under his shoulder,” he said.

As for Amos, he said he was in a scary situation as he was almost boxed, adding that it got a bit scrappy.

He said Nijel knew running from the inside could be costly, but that he still had energy and did it the hard way of going on the outside before cutting inside.

“Good that he is now through to the final. He needs to take charge of the field and avoid all the pushing and shoving.

He has proven on multiple times that he can go for it from start to finish.

However, after all is said and done, University of Botswana sport psychology, sociology of sport and track and field lecturer, Dr Tshepang Tshube said it was the first time that Botswana had so many athletes qualifying for the final at the IAAF World Championship.

This, he said, was highly appreciated, but that it could also be a major threat to the team’s success given that the athletes might put themselves under pressure.

Dr Tshube said it was crucial for the team leadership to unsure that the athletes wear a “cool hat” and remain focused on each and every stage of the race.  

“They should take leadership in the race. They should not be over confident, I am confident that these game will usher history for Botswana. I see blue,” he said. ENDS