Burnout concerns as athletes peak early
Calistus Kolantsho | Saturday February 5, 2022 06:00
During the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) series held in Francistown over the weekend, Kemorena Tisang of Maun Athletics Club set a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles clocking 49.96. He beat the 50.88 mark set by Daniel Lagamang in 2011.
Kelebogile Ambrose of Lion’s Den Athletics Club registered a new women’s shotput national record throwing 10.86m. She bettered her own throw of 10.77m at the first series.
Letsile Tebogo made his 400m debut and clocked a personal best (PB) of 46.09 qualifying for the World Under-20 Championships and the Senior African Championships, which Mauritius hosts.
Bayapo Ndori managed a national lead in the men’s 400m when he ran 45.78, which ensured he books his ticket to Mauritius.
National team coach, Justice Dipeba told Mmegi Sport that the Francistown series brought out the best in the athletes.
“It looks like it is going to be a good season. We cannot wait to see everyone back at it and running their usual events,” he said.
However, Dipeba cautioned coaches against unleashing athletes early in the season, which might have both desired and undesired effects. He said the obvious advantage is that athletes would be able to qualify early in the season, then back off and prepare for the major competitions.
“The bad is that you might reach your peak early in the season and not be able to maintain (the form) throughout the season. We have seen that happening even to the most elite athletes. So coaches should make sure that they are very careful, and they plan their season and training properly,” Dipeba said.
Lion’s Den coach, Lebone Moreri said he was worried about the records that are being set early in the season. He said that is going to put a lot of pressure on athletes.
“If they qualify, most of them would burn out before peak season. It is risky because they might not perform well during the championships,” he said. For his part, Kebonyemodisa Dose Mosimanyane of Maun Athletics Club said some of the athletes have qualified for major events, which relieves pressure from coaches and athletes about qualifying.
“The other thing is that during these COVID-19 period, you are never sure whether you would have another chance to qualify for major events because any race could be the last before they get suspended,” he said.
Mosimanyane said the BAA has introduced a quota for clubs, with only three athletes per event, per club. He said athletes rotate and every chance that they get should be used to either qualify or get as close as possible because, in the next race, others are given a chance.
“On the other hand, athletes could be responding better to the training programmes since some it is their second, third and fourth season with the same coaches.
I am not saying those are the exact reasons but those are the possibilities I can think of right now,” he said.
Meanwhile, Mosimanyane said he trusted that coaches would know what to do going forward to manage the peak performance of athletes.