19 Aug 2021

To many sport enthusiasts, the name Anthony Pesela, might not ring a bell, but the youngster is following in the footsteps of his more famous teammates  Isaac Makwala and Nigel Amos.

Tomorrow the 400m runner will be on the track in Nairobi, Kenya, to further cement his reputation as one of the most promising athletes in the country.

Pesela will be competing in the finals at the ongoing World Under-20 athletics championships 2021. He sailed to the finals after finishing first in his heat on Tuesday.

He will face other upcoming athletes amongst them Muzala Samukonga of Zambia, Canadian Michael Roth, South Africans Antonie Matthys Nortje and Lythe Pillay, Mexican Luis Avilés Ferreiro and Kenyan Kennedy Kimeu.

Pesela, who was part of the 4x400 metres men’s relay team that won bronze at the recent Tokyo Olympics, undertands the pressure that cimes with competing in the finals and he knows what it takes to make a podium finish.

He has trained with Makwala, Baboloki Thebe, Zibani Ngozi, Bayapo Ndori and Leungo Scotch.

National team coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, said he was happy with Pesela’s performance. 

He also said he had had more time to rest and recover for the final. 

“We know who our competitors are, and we are ready for the challenge,” he said.

Track and field analyst, Aobakwe Showa said Pesela was in a position to fight for the podium after qualifying with the second fastest time behind Ferreiro. ends