07 Sep 2026

Five years ago, the name Collen Kebinatshipi barely registered a glance when it appeared on the athletics start list.

Competitors did not lose sleep over him and rival camps remained entirely unbothered by his presence.

Fast forward to the aftermath of his historic breakthrough at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, Kebinatshipi has transformed into a global household name.

Today, he represents a psychological trauma for fellow quarter-milers the moment his confirmation appears on any Diamond League roster.

On Friday night, the 400m World Champion  delivered at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme Diamond League final in Brussels.

He did not just claim the Diamond League trophy, he did it in style, obliterating three records in a single night.

His time of 43.40 seconds shattered the Meeting Record, National Record and the Diamond League Record.

With the time, Kebinatshipi became only the second African man in history to secure the Diamond League 400m title, following in the legendary footsteps of his countryman Isaac Makwala, who first won it in 2017.

The time also underscored his consistency, as he recorded five extended times, in which he dipped under the sub-44-second barrier in a single season.

His coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, attributed the historic feat to the athlete’s commitment, hard work and discipline.

Ntshwarang said winning the trophy for the first time meant everything to their camp, especially since they needed to prove that his success in Tokyo was not a fluke.

He said maintaining consistency at the highest level throughout the season, validated hard work and believe in their work.

Coach Ntshwarang said it further demonstrated the athlete’s talent, adding that being a world champion, becoming a 400 meters Diamond League champion with a meeting record was an important milestone.

Kebinatshipi was not the only Motswana making waves on Friday, as the nation’s quarter-mile dominance extended into the exhibition events.

In the men’s 400m invitational, Lee Eppie finished in position one, clocking a Season’s Best time of 44.50 seconds.

However, sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo finished fourth in a 200m Diamond League final, crossing the line in 20.01 seconds.

Meanwhile, middle-distance star Oratile Nowe was elevated to fourth place finish in the 800m invitational, following a decision by the race officials.

Initially, Nowe finished fifth, and was disqualified for a lane infringement under World Athletics Technical Rule 17.2.3.

However, the decision was later overturned, a move that saw her elevated to position four, as Ethiopia’s Saida Tsehaye, who initially finished third, was disqualified instead. ends