07 Jun 2019

After winning the Josef Odložil Memorial competition on Monday, Baboloki Thebe will compete at the FBK Games World Challenge in Hengelo, Netherlands on June 9 at 1720 hrs.

Thebe, who clocked a Meeting Record and a Season Best time of 45.09 at the competition in Prague, Czech Republic, will line up with American track and field athletes Vernon Norwood and Michael Cherry, Dutch sprinters Liemarvin Bonevacia and Tony van Diepen, Spanish sprinter Óscar Husillos Domingo, South African Thapelo Phora and Italian Davide Re.

He proclaimed his preparedness for the race in an interview, saying his body was responding very well, given that he had not loaded it after the Josef Odložil Memorial.

He said despite winning the Monday race, he was not under any pressure, but he was going to enjoy his race, and clocking a good time will be a bonus for him.

“You see I don’t want to commit myself, all athletes who will be competing there are very good and I respect them, but of course I will not give the respect on track,” he said.

Thebe said he was aware that the nation was eagerly waiting for him to clock the Tokyo 2020 qualifying standard time of 44.90.

In that regard, he said it would be good for him to qualify as early as possible, he was confident that he would qualify, although he did not know when.

However, Track and field analyst, Lentswe Charles said it was going to be a tough race, given that it features majority of men with this Seasons Bests ranging from 45 to 46.60 seconds.

He said Cherry dropped a sub 47 seconds two weeks ago, while Spanish Oscar Husillos had been much on indoor races this season.

He said Italian Re and Phora were sub-46 seconds men and their previous races times this season ranged around 45 high.

He said Seasons Bests for Thebe and Vernon, who ran the 400 m race at Prague Josefa Odlozila meet ranged in 45 seconds low. Charles said, Bonevarcia and Van Diepen would be on their home soil and their performance this season had not been much impressive since their season’s best ranged around 46.00 to 46.50 seconds.

“So for me it is either Thebe or Vernon who stand a better chance of winning the race with a time closer to 45 seconds in 44 high to 45 low since their fitness right now and speed development seems to have some room of improvement in the coming months,” he said.

He said he was confident that Thebe’s last race a few days ago boosted his morale and if he could manage his pace and maintain the rhythm and reach the homestretch with a reserve tank his short sprint speed could earn him a win. ENDS