13 Jun 2018

A friendly rivalry between two of the most tipped future quarter-milers is brewing up at the IAAF 57^th Ostrava Golden Spike World Challenge today.

Commonwealth silver medalist Baboloki Thebe and the on form Qatari Haroun Abdalelleh will go stride to stride in the men’s 400m that promises to bring the duo’s off track bromance that emanates from their friendship and already glittering careers into a battle of supremacy.The two started their 45 seconds rivalry during the IAAF World Junior Championships in Bydgoszcz, Poland in 2016 when Thebe beat him in the semi-finals after coming second with 44.26 while Haroun recorded 45.55. However the Qatari was lucky after Thebe was disqualified for lane infringement.

At the IAAF World Championships London 2017, Thebe beat him in the heat finishing on position two with a time of 44.33, while Haroun recorded 44.64 and he qualified for the finals by next best time.

In the finals it was the Qatari who stole Botswana’s bronze medal just at the finish line after recording 44.48, while he relegated Thebe to position four with 44.66.

In May during the Doha Diamond League, Haroun continued to inflict pain on Thebe as he cruised to the finish line finishing second while Thebe was relegated to position five.

Now Thebe has a score to settle against his personal friend. He said in an interview that today’s race was not all about their friendship, adding it was their countries’ names who were at stake.

“Each one of us want to represent his country with pride. Me and Haroun will rekindle our friendship after the race where he will tell me how many barrels of oil Qatar produces in a day and I will tell him the number of diamonds we mine per day. My intention is to go all out and do my best. Remember I have been not competing so I want to gauge my body. I have a very long season ahead of me,” he said.

Furthermore, he said he had prepared well for the race and expectations were that he would execute his race plan and ultimately come up with a good time. ENDS