11 Mar 2018

Isaac Makwala staged a good performance at the second Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix Series Meeting held at Tuks Athletics Stadium in Tshwane South Africa on March 8 evening.

Despite arriving first at the finish line, Makwala’s sub 31 plan went pear-shaped as he clocked 31.77 in 300 metres which was his second competitive race of the season.

Thapelo Phora of University of Pretoria, finished second with 32.57, followed by Ofentse Mogawane with 32.68 still from University of Pretoria, while Botswana’s 400 metre runner Onkabetse Nkobolo finished on position five with 33.18.

However, during the race, it was evident that Makwala had a mission as he blasted from the block, as well as dictating race to his opponents.

Makwala ran a good bend and in the back straight it was now Badman against the clock, and the cheer of spectators kept him moving and at the end he looked at the clock, and he knew he did not achieve the target but that did not deter his zeal of good performance with his “five” push up trade mark.

However, Makwala said in an interview that although he had targeted sub 31, he was happy with his time adding that a lot of factors might have contributed to him not attaining his set target.

“I think the weather was a contributing factor. It was raining before the race and the track was slippery, but all in all, I am happy with my performance,” he said.

In 100 metres, Botswana’s promising sprinter Karabo Mothibi finished in position six with 10.42 seconds. In 200 metres women, University of Stellenbosch athlete, Justine Palframan spoiled the party for Botswana, claiming the first spot with 23.32, followed by Christine Botlogetswe with 23.39, Leungo Matlhaku settled for position three with 23.45, on position four was Amantle Montsho with 35.53, while Tsaone Sebele was on position six with 24.34. 

Track and field analyst, Billy Tambula who was in Tshwane said Makwala got off the block well as  it took him less than 10 seconds to close the stagger on everyone and lead the race. He said his 200 metres was very fast, and one could easily tell that his mission was to hit the sub 31 target, adding that at 250metres mark spectators could see he would make it.

“It was only close. Isaac’s execution of the race in this meet was very impressive. You would really want to watch him again and again but he can easily go under 31 seconds mid-year,” he said.

He said Matlhaku clearly demonstrated that she was a short sprint athlete by getting off better than everyone else from the blocks.

He said Justine was always going to be the first one to respond because she had been doing well also in this discipline and she was on top form.  “I thought it was going to be Justine and Leungo after realising Montsho and Botlogetswe were not able to get their speed early, but Christine recovered not so late to get second, but all in all I would say our ladies had a relatively very good preparation here and managed to record better times,” he said. Ends