08 Apr 2018

Botswana’s 400 metres runners, Isaac Makwala, Baboloki Thebe and Karabo Sibanda will compete in the semi-finals today (April 9) after finishing on different positions in their respective heats at the Commonwealth Games on Sunday.

Makwala, who was in heat two, finished on position one with a time of 46:01, and did not have any competition in the field as he cruised to the finish line unmarked.

In heat four, Thebe, who was not convincing enough, finished third with 46:17.

Thebe, who has been plagued by injuries, has recently been cleared by doctors as fit to compete, but he was struggling properbly because he had not raced over the last couple of months and therefore was just cautious.

Sibanda finished second in heat six with 46:15, and like his compatriots, he was relaxed throughout the race.

He saved his energy for the next round of competitions.

Talking about Makwala’s performance, athletics analyst Bapati Mmotlanyane said the athlete gave a good performance and he was comfortable.

“It was bound to be a dominant performance and smooth strides all round.

Never mind the clock, the plan was to ensure safe passage without exerting too much energy,” he said.

As for Thebe, he said it was a satisfactory performance as his aim was to go through to the semi-finals.

He however said he was of the view that Thebe left it too late which was a calculated risk to ensure automatic qualification.

“He is the type of athlete that improves progressively throughout the competition, you’d expect him to build on that performance,” he said.

For Sibanda, Mmotlanyane said it was a fair start off the blocks and that he did well to hold the pressure.

The athlete, he said, looked in control with long smooth strides, and that he had it all to do in the final homestretch to secure the second spot.

“I believe the confidence that will come from the impressive qualification will help him give a class act performance going forward,” he said.

In 100 metres, Karabo Mothibi crumpled in the heat as he finished on position four with a time of 10:42.

The 400 metres semi-finals start at 11:56 am while in the early hours of Tuesday at 2:30 am Botswana’s 800 metres runner, Nijel Amos will compete in the heats. Ends