12 Jun 2019

Christine 'Size 10' Botlogetswe braved a wet track to finish on position one with a time of  51:64 in 400 metres, while Baboloki 'Hurricane' Thebe finished seventh with 47.75 at Meeting de Montreuil in France last night.

Botlogetswe, who was running on lane four, started the race well, despite an early challenge from United States’ Courney Okolo.

Canadian Madeline Price scooped the second position, while Jaide Stepter of the US finished on position three.

According to track and field analyst, Aobakwe Showa, by 150m, Botlogetswe, Okolo and Stepter, had already ran down others on the outside lanes. 

He said Botlogetswe was steady and maintained pace as she opted to chase Okolo through the first two bends, before she could make her move. 

“Meanwhile, Stepter, on lane three, had quite a superb start and by the first 200m she closed on Botlogetswe by a metre,” he said.

Showa said approaching the last bend, it was quite clear the Rakops born lass was going for victory as she started accelerating and closed down on the tired Okolo. As Okolo faded, Rice and Stepter took advantage to strive for respectable positions.

“I believe if the weather was favourable, Botlogetswe could have clocked a better time. She ran a smooth controlled race, distributing her energy wisely hence not fading with the rest of the field in the home straight,” he said.

Talking about Thebe, Showa said the athlete had a good start as compared to his previous race in Hengelo. 

He said he looked to be in contention to win the race with about 120 metres to go as he was neck-to-neck for the lead with Norwood, but he could not keep up with the American as they hit the home straight. 

“I personally think he could have finished in a better position because he seemed to have slowed down just a couple of metres to the end,” he said. ends