Makwala Scotch in action Sunday
31 Jul 2021
Two Botswana athletes, Isaac Makwala and Leungo Scotch will compete in 400 metres round one at the ongoing 2020 Tokyo Olympics Games at the Olympic Stadium on Sunday morning (3:45am).
Makwala is in heat one together with Kirani James from Grenada, Ricardo dos Santos of Portugal, Demish Gaye of Jamaica, Bachir Mahamat of Chad, Alonzo Russell of Bahamas, Alex Beck of Australia, and Jonathan Sacoor of Belgium.
Scotch will compete in heat four against Serbian Jovan Stojoski, Colombian Anthony Zambrano, Steven Solomon of Australia, Japanese Julian Walsh, South African Wayde Van Niekerk, Kenyan Emmanuel Korir and Davide Re.
Track and field analyst, Lentswe Charles said in an interview that it would be a tough race for Makwala and looking at the lineup as most of quarter-milers had been running 45 to 46 seconds times.
He said the Grenadian James, who usually maintained a race model that worked for him and with strength coupled with speed, was the main threat to Makwala.
James’ fitness level this season, he said had given him times ranging from 44.50s to 44.00s including his season’s best.
He said Makwala would win provided he also maintained to his race model and ensured that he gained momentum in the early seconds of the race and distribute his energies wisely regardless of the lane he would be running from.
Charles said it was therefore important for Makwala to position himself early in the second bend to emerge in a good position in the 300m mark.
“Makwala should also desist from running through James’ pace lest he forgets his race plan as he will risk finishing in a good position fading on the last 50 metres of the race. But I believe his current strength can clock times ranging from 44s to 45s and make it through to the semi-finals,” he said.
On Scotch, Charles said with his season best time of 45.27s, the athelete needed to put more effort to clock any time around sub-45s.
“In his start list, athletes who can be very deadly are Van Niekerk and Zambrano who have been running sub 45s in 400m this season but he has to be careful of all his competitors,” he said.
As such, Charles said an appropriate race rhythm was vital for the total racing distance and he needed to cruise the back straight with a sub maximal pace conserving energy to avoid oxygen debt on the second half.
“Much competition is expected on the home stretch of the race as those sprinters who have well-built strength especially core on lower body might dominate the dying moments of the race. It is not clear who might dominate the race but the race factor will determine the winner. Scotch only needs to settle for a good finishing position to qualify for the semi-finals,” he said. Ends
Source : BOPA
Author : Anastacia Sibanda
Location : GABORONE
Event : Tokyo Olympics
Date : 31 Jul 2021
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