04 Aug 2021

With Nigel Amos having failed to make it to the podium in yesterday’s (August 4) 800 metres final, all eyes would be on Isaac Makwala in today’s (August 5) 400 metres final.

The Tutume-born athlete is used to pressure. In one of his historic races, as he ran alone in the rain soaked tracks of London at the World Athletics Championships in 2017 after being denied a chance to run with otherss.

But it would never come bigger than today’s race at the Tokyo Olympic Stadium. 

Makwala would be the sole African representative in the men’s 400m final at the Tokyo Olympics.

When he steps into the track this afternoon, he would be the focus of 1.3 billion Africans in the continent and the diaspora.

Makwala would be sharing the track with the crème de la crème of 400 metres in Kirani James of Grenada, Steven Gardiner of Bahamas, the USA’s Michael Norman, Michael Cherry, Liemarvin Bonevacia of Netherlands, Anthony Zambrano of Colombia and Christopher Taylor of Jamaica.

Despite the fact that the field would be packed with seasoned campaigners, Makwala is capable of causing an upset. 

He is also experienced enough to read the race and will need all his knowledge to make it to the podium.

He will be up against athletes who are equally experienced in the race.

National team coach, Justice Dipeba said in an interview that Makwala was ready for the challenge.

He said he was focused and looking forward to the race, adding that he was happy that he had had two days rest before the final. 

He also reasoned that Makwala needed more time to recover considering his age and the fact that he worked hard in the preliminary rounds and the semis.

He said they were not going to do anything special for the race and would stick to their plan. He added that their plan was to compete for the podium.

“I always say we have money in the bank, now it is time for to go to the ATM and cash. We are ready to compete,” he said.

Sunday sport editor, Bootlace Koothopile, said for Makwala it would be the race to end all races, adding that it was his final in many ways.

“It will be his first appearance in individual events in the Olympics and also his last chance to win an Olympic medal in individual events,” he said

He noted that Makwala would be up against some of the best athletes. 

He also noted that Makwala would have a view of the entire line up from his inside lane.

“He will see 2012 Olympic champion Kirani James in front of him, next to Kirani will be the relatively unknown but very good 23-year-old Colombian Zambrano and then there will be Gardiner of Bahamas and Norman of the USA in lanes seven and eight respectively.

Koothopile said while each of the eight athletes in the starting list could make it to the podium, Kirani, Zambrano, Gardnier and Norman would be Makwala’s biggest threats.

He noted that they had all registered times below 44 seconds at one point or another.

“Him being first in the inside lane may be a blessing, as he will have a view of the entire field and will be able to set his pace better,” he said.

Koothopile said the best strategy for Makwala would be to start aggressively and be close to Kirani to set the pace of the race. Ends