12 Feb 2018

Baboloki Thebe’s  muscle strain in the last 100 metres denied spectators what could have been a photo finish in 400 metres during the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) Super Night staged in Lobatse on February 10.

The 400 metres race had seasoned and exciting athletes in the mould of Thebe, Onkabetse Nkobolo of Orapa Athletics Club, Gerald Bashingi of BDF, Karabo Sibanda of Maun and Xolani Talane of Jwaneng Athletics Club.  

When the athletes lined up for the race, there was a deafening silence and one could hear a pin drop.

It was not surprising given that three elite athletes, Sibanda, Nkobolo and Thebe were sharing the same track for the first time this season.

The silence made the job easier for the official as his three commands of your marks, get set and bang of the starting pistol was loud and clear to both athletes and spectators.

The athletes started the race at a very high tempo and before the smoke of the gun could even settle in the blue skies, they had already reached the 200 metres.

The spice of the night was veteran runner, Bashingi of BDF as he showed no respect for the three feared athletes and lead the pack  until the first 150 metres mark.

However, he was not strong enough to go all the way.

From there the battle was between the three athletes who are coached by Mogomotsi Otsetswe, and as the spectators were bracing themselves for a photo finish, Thebe, who appeared to have shaken off his injury problems, slowed down in the final 150 metres owing to his recurring muscle injury, and it was Sibanda who cruised to the finish line in 45:58 seconds.

Nkobolo finished on position two in 46:14 seconds while Thebe was relegated to position three in 46:20 seconds. Bashingi, who finished fourth, clocked his Personal Best (PB) of 46:84 seconds.

Sibanda said he was happy that he clocked a good time, as it was his first race of the year.

“I have been working with my physio hence when I started the race I told myself I can do it, and I managed to run my own race,” he said.

Sibanda said his plan was to start the race with explosive speed so that he could cruise in the back straight with the same pace. He added that they have been working on his endurance at training, and that he expects to lower his time once they start to work on his speed.

Thebe said he did not start well from the blocks, but managed to keep pace with other athletes.

He added that as he was preparing to accelerate in the final 150 metres his muscle “misbehaved” and he had to slow down.

“I hope it is nothing serious because, as you might be aware, this muscle has sidelined me for a very long time. I will update you on Monday if it is something big or minor,” he said.

In the women’s 400 metres, Amantle Montsho, who was racing against the clock, recorded 51:78 seconds followed by Tlhomphang Basele with 59:04 while Neo Theetso clocked 1:00:54 to finish on position three.

In yet another exciting 200 metres event, Karabo Mothibi recorded 20:69 seconds followed by Leaname Maotoanong with 20:89 and Keene Motukisi finished on position three with 21:51 seconds.

In field events, Tshwanelo Aabobe, Kabelo Kgosiemang and Gobe Takobana jumped 2.15 metres.

In shot put men, Lesego Bayi finished in position one with 8.70 metres followed by Refilwe Maleusi with 7.70 metres while Gaolatlhe Mogorosi settled for position three with 7.55 metres

In discus women, Tebogo Tapologo finished in position one with a throw of 30.20 metres, followed by Bantshwanetse Kebalepile with  22.50 metres and Nonofo Slenda with 19.20 metres. Ends