10 Jun 2019

Botswana’s 400-metre runner, Baboloki 'Hurricane' Thebe, finished second with a time of 45.51 at the FBK Games World Challenge in Hengelo, Netherlands on Sunday.

He started the race with a low tempo but increased pace on back straight after realising that American Michael Cherry was on fire. Thebe went strong on the second curve to close the gap and he did all to maintain the pace.

Thebe said in an interview that he enjoyed the race and was happy that he managed to finish the race.

He, however, said  despite finishing on position two, he would keep on training hard because his mission was to better his time.

“I want to run sub 45, but I know I don’t have to force my body. With more races lined up for me, I am very confident that I will drop a better time,” he said.

Track and field analyst, Lentswe Charles, said the race was a tough quatermilers duel, hence some athletes starting the race with a high tempo.

It was Cherry who went strong on the back straight racing with the power of strides, as he went tough from the back straight opening a wide gap from all men.

Though Thebe pushed hard, he failed to beat Cherry, who maintained his rhythm and speed combined with his refined stride that worked for him on the home straight.

“I think Thebe started the race a bit slow, although he increased on the  back straight due to the race factor from Cherry's tremendous run that forced him to go strong on the second curve closing the gap using more energy,’ he said.

Furthermore, he said Thebe had showed strength and speed development as his graph of  performance was climbing slowly from the 45.90 seconds season opener he ran during the end of February.

“It seems Thebe still has room for improvement and I am expecting him to reach peak around August .The international season is still new and I am expecting some more quick times soon, since more races are coming,” he said. ends