22 Jun 2020

Botswana’s 800 metres runner, Nijel Amos has on Saturday night managed to win a closely contested 600m coast-to-coast dual meet, beating rival, Dylan Capwell of Atlanta Track Club Elite.

Amos of Oregon Track Club Elite stopped the clock in 1:17.84 against Capwell’s 1:18.93 to win the Return of the Dual, a virtual and first of its kind head-to-head competition, by just over one second.

The Marobela-born started the race in high tempo, reaching the first 100m mark in a time of 11.41 and continued with a high pace in the 200m with a time of 22.25.

However, Amos reached the 46.61 mark in the 400m and it was clear that he was fatigued and rightly so, given it was his first race.

In the last 200m, it was clear that Capwell was covering more ground, but he did not push enough to reach the finish line ahead of Amos.

In an interview after the race, Amos said he was happy to walk away with a win in his post lockdown competition.

He said the purpose of the race was to raise funds for charity, adding he was happy to be out of his normal comfort zone and competing in the 600m.

Furthermore, Amos said he enjoyed the race despite the fact that they did not share the same track with his opponents, adding it was not clear who would win the race until they crossed the finish line.

“It was a remote race. Capwell and I were in different stadia as a measure to adhere to COVID-19 regulations and we were hand timed to determine the winner,” he said.

The meet took place at Landmark Christian School in Fairburn, Georgia and Hamlin Middle School in Springfield. Meanwhile, track and field analyst, Bonno Modisenyane said Amos started fast as he cruised the first lap in a split of 46.61 and faded in the last part of the race.

“Splitting 46.61 in the first lap means he is in good shape despite being a little rusty. But it is just a matter of time before he regains his rhythm,” he said.

Nonetheless, Modisenyane acknowledged that it was a tough race considering the effects of the pandemic on athletes’ training and competing schedule. ENDS