09 Sep 2018

Nijel Amos lost his 800m Continental Cup title to Kenya’s Emmanuel Korir during the IAAF Continental Cup Ostrava 2018 in Czech Republic on September 8.

Amos won the title two years ago in Marrakech, Morocco with a time of 1:44.88. 

However, on September 8, Amos who has had a rough season plaqued by injuries settled for position three with 1:46.77, while first position to Korir with 1:46.50 and Clayton Murphy, who was representing US, got second position with a time of 1:46.77. 

During the race, it was evident that the Africans had a grand plan of finishing on  the podium, as they controlled the race.

Both Amos and Korir, who are very good in attacking in the last bend, were very relaxed the entire race.

But Amos left it a little late to make an attack as Murphy made it difficult for him to accelerate. 

Amos said in an interview after the race that, despite losing his title, he enjoyed the race.

He said the most important thing for him was to hit the finish line healthy.

Although he was plagued by injuries this season, he said he was consoled by the fact that he got a bronze medal. 

“It is not easy to come back from injury,.

But I am a happy man because I closed my 2018 season with a grateful heart and proud of decisions I took so far in my career,” he said.

Meanwhile, Baboloki Thebe, who also represented Africa in the 400m race, competed in the 20m after Nigeria’s Ejowvokoghene Oduduru, who was supposed to line up for Africa did not turn up.

Thebe finished on position seven with a Season Best time of 20.79, while South Africa’s Ncincihli Titi finished on position six with 20.78.

Thebe said he was happy that he managed to run 200m adding that he had not been running the 200m race in a long time.

“For Team Africa to select me to run 200m as a replacement for Oduduru showed confidence the team had on me. I think I should consider trying to run 200m more often,” he said.

Christine Botlogetswe finished on position seven clocking 52.47 in the 400m women’s race. 

Caster Semenya of South African won a silver medal in the 400m race with a National Record time of 49.62. Ends