13 Feb 2019

Athletics has for some time been the country’s bedrock of success in international competitions.

A number of athletes continue to bring good results year in and year out.

One such athlete is 19-year-old Edwin Masuge from Moshupa village, who has become a household name in T13 races.

Masuge, who is currently preparing for the South African Championships, said in an interview that he fell in love with the sport at Matsieng Primary School in Mochudi in 2015.

Tiger, as he is affectionately known by those familiar with his exploits on the track, noted that he was first trained by his teacher, Segomotso Rathokwane at the school before moving to Linchwe II Junior Secondary School in 2019, where he met his current coach Keatlaretse Mabote.

The energetic Masuge said he took part in his first competition in the Botswana Primary School Sports Association (BOPSSA).

However, he did not do well.

Still in the same year, he took part in the Botswana Games where he competed in the 100m, 200m, and 400m T13 categories.

He scooped silver medals in the 100m and 400m races as well as a bronze medal in 200m.

“In 2016, I was also part of the team that travelled to Angola for the Region 5 Games,” he said.

Even though, the results were not positive, he said he was motivated by some of his teammates like Karabo Sibanda, who interestingly, gave him the nickname, Tiger.

The Region 5 Games competition results, he said did not dent his confidence as he snatched gold in the 100m, 200m and 400m races at the Botswana Games in 2017.

In 2018, he dazzled at the annual South African championships as he scooped silver medals in both the 200m and 400m races.

“From there, I did not look back, as I trained hard as we were preparing for the Region 5 Games, which were held in December in Gaborone.

I knew I would be in front of many supporters on home soil, so that gave me an upper hand.

I was able to clinch gold in both 200m and 400m as well as silver in 100m,” said Masuge.

Masuge who is inspired by hsi coach said, his aim was to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

“Also, my training partner, Bose Mokgwathi is my school mate and he pushes me to do better and together with my coach, they are my pillars of strength,” he said.

Further, he said he looks up to the current Commonwealth 400m gold medalist, Isaac Makwala.

Coach Mabote said they were trying by all means for Masuge and other young and promising athletes to qualify for the 2020 Tokyo Olympic Games.

“It’s a platform where one can achieve a lot by winning just one race and there are a lot of competitions we are going to use to qualify for the Olympics like the All Africa Games to be held this year,” he said. ENDS