30 Aug 2021

Botswana’s 400 metres T13 runner, Edwin ‘Tiger’ Masuge takes to the track at the Tokyo 2020 Paralympic Games on Wednesday at 2:54am.

If he finishes the race in a qualifying bracket, he would go to the final at the Olympic Stadium on Thursday.

The Moshupa native is cognisant of the fact that other athletes have been doing well and therefore he will also not afford to drop the ball.

Like a tiger, Masuge can be aggressive and less intimidated in the track whenever donning Botswana colours.

Coach Katlego Maotwe said in an interview that the athlete was ready to compete and had been training well.

He said though aware that  all eyes would be on him given that he would be the first athlete to compete from Botswana, he was looking forward to representing the country.

Maotwe, however, said he had told Masuge to enjoy the race.

“We have been working very hard as a team preparing for the race and expectations are that he would make it to the final,” he said.

In that regard, Maotwe said they were preparing in such a way that within 12 hours, he would have fully recovered for the final.

“In terms of fitness, he is very fit and ready. I can tell Batswana that they should watch their athlete battling it with others,” he said.

Meanwhile, he said Gloria Majaga, who would also be competing in women’s 400m - T13 on Thursday at 2:21pm, was also healthy and looking forward to the day of the competition.

Maotwe said in all her races, she had been clocking personal bests, which alone was a clear indication that she was focused.

He said though the stage was bigger, he was confident that she would do her best. ENDS