09 Apr 2018

Isaac Makwala and Baboloki Thebe will tomorrow represent Botswana in the 400 metre finals after winning their semi-finals in their respective heats at the 2018 Commonwealth Games yesterday.

Makwala who at the Commonwealth Games has never made it to the final, on Monday afternoon ensured that this time he got everything right as he cruised to the finish line with a time of 45.00.

In 2010 Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, he was eliminated in the semi-finals after finishing on position six with a time of 47.07.

In 2014 in Glasgow, he could not make it to the finals after finishing on position three clocking 45.57.

This time around, Makwala is determined to deliver the first 400 metres Commonwealth Gold medal for the country.

On the other hand, debutant Thebe who was not convincing in his heat on Sunday, this time around came a dedicated man despite running on lane 8.

He ensured that he booked himself a place in the finals, finishing second in heat two with a time of 45.54 behind Bralon Taplin of Grenada who clocked 45.44 in heat two.

Batswana had hoped that they will be represented by three athletes in the finals.

That however was not to be as Karabo Sibanda’s race plan did not bear fruit this time around as he finished on position four  with a time of 46.26.

Athletics coach Patrick Moesi said Makwala looked very comfortable doing that 45 and he was going to be favourite for gold medal.

He said Thebe started well, lost his rhythm in the back straight but recovered towards the last 100m to finish strongly.

“He didn’t look very comfortable, could it be that he is carrying a minor injury or what I don’t know,” he said.

Further, he said Sibanda did not start his race well and that alone made him work too hard and he got burned out, hence he did not make it to the semis.

Athletics analyst Bapati Montlanyane said Makwala showed his experience and pedigree  as he looked comfortable for much of the race,doing well to hold off pressure from Javon Francis who was on the inside and he cruised on the homestretch with finesse

As for Thebe, he said he did much better compared to the preliminary stage, adding the athlete had the ability of growing throughout the competition.

“Being on the outside of Taplin forced him to go hard on the back-straight to give himself a fair advantage before the top bend, kicked further on the homestretch to chase Taplin and safely secure that automatic qualification for the final,” he said.

Furthermore, he said Thebe was a real  contender for bronze just behind Makwala and Taplin, adding the gold is for Makwala to take after that clean victory effortlessly.

Talking about Sibanda, he said the athlete got off to an explosive start but faded just on the homestretch.

“Honestly he looked a shadow of himself two years ago in Rio. That injury has taken that sting out of him but considering he is still recovering, he gave a good account of himself on that semi-final.  He will be a great miss for that final showdown,” he said . ENDS