01 May 2018

The world is set to watch Botswana’s finest 400 metres duo, Isaac Makwala and Baboloki Thebe in the IAAF Diamond League opening leg in Doha, Qatar tomorrow (May 3).

Makwala currently holds the 400m Diamond League bragging rights after winning the 2017 edition held in Weltklasse Zürich, clocking a time of 43.95.

Badman, as he is affectionately known in the athletics circles, had qualified for the finals after finishing seventh on the log standings with 13 points.

On the other hand, Thebe was unfortunate and unable to make it to the finals due to an injury he sustained at the World Championships.

Thebe, alias Hurricane, enjoyed the 2017 league after finishing at the summit of the 400m log standing with 35 points, but could not make it to the finals.

However, Qatar Sports Club facility is expected to come to a standstill tomorrow as Botswana’s duo seeks to prove themselves as the crème de la crème in the 400m event.

Of late, Botswana has become the most feared in the event, thanks to the trio of Makwala, Thebe and Sibanda, who have continued to prove that Botswana is slowly becoming the 400m hub in the world.

Nevertheless, Makwala and Thebe as well as other competitors, know that a lot would be at stake including bragging rights, and thus need to ensure that commentators unendingly call their countries’ names.

In an interview, Makwala said preparations for the competition had been going well and expectations were that he would start the league on a high note.

“I am ready for the league. I have been preparing for the last five months and the most important thing for me is to defend my Diamond League trophy,” he said.

He however said his aim in the 2018 edition was to compete in both 200m and 400m, and thus his hard work and was looking forward to executing his plans diligently.

“You know I want to break the 400m World Record and if I am made to choose between winning a gold medal at the Olympic Games and WR, I will chose the WR,” he said.

Meanwhile, Thebe said he had also been preparing well for the Diamond League, including taking into consideration the hot and humid conditions in Doha at this time of the year.

His intention however is to continue with his good performance in the circuit and collect as much points as he possibly can to make it to the finals which he missed in the last edition as a result of an injury. ENDS