25 Sep 2026

Africa 400 metres champion Bhekempilo Eppie has successfully concluded a strategic, two-year "building phase" under Coach Chilume "Chippa" Ntshwarang, transforming what was meant to be a developmental transition into a highly decorated season.

 

Born in Palapye and raised in the mining town of Orapa, Eppie’s athletics career began in 2016.

 

 He debuted internationally at the under 20 level in 2017 before moving to the United States in late 2019, where he balanced track commitments with completing a Bachelor of Science in Kinesiology at Mississippi State University.

 

 During his collegiate years, Eppie adopted his signature white sweatband and chains to craft a recognisable media identity.

 

Eppie made his senior international breakthrough at the 2024 Africa Championships and attended the Paris Olympics as part of Botswana's 4x400m relay squad.

 

Seeking greater progression, he then joined coach Ntshwarang's camp, embarking on a rigorous, two year conditioning regime designed to acclimatise his body to the grueling demands of the 400m event.

 

The strategy yielded immediate success. In 2025, Eppie reached the individual World Championship final and anchored Botswana to a historic 4x400m relay gold.

 

In 2026, the focus shifted to consistency, which saw him run in the 44 seconds window an impressive 18 times.

 

By so doing, Eppie sustained form culminated in a gold medal at the World Athletics Relays on home soil, where Eppie ran the opening lap to set up teammate Letsile Tebogo, alongside an appearance at the elite Ultimate Championships finals.

 

Despite missing out on an individual medal at the Commonwealth Games, where he still managed to defeat global icons like Zambia's Muzala Samukonga, Eppie credits his mother’s low key support and his coach's disciplined system for his meteoric rise.

 

Coach Ntshwarang praised Eppie’s hunger, intense work ethic and profound respect for the sport.

 

With his racing system now firmly established, Eppie has declared that his focus for the upcoming athletic season will shift away from relays toward individual global glory, with a firm target set on securing a top three podium finish at the next World Athletics Championships. ENDS