Relay team gets new lease of life

Calistus Kolantsho | Monday July 25, 2022 16:00

Botswana's Zibane Ngozi (right) reacts as the baton drops between him and Keitumetse Maitseo in the men's 4x400m relay heats during the World Athletics Championships at Hayward Field in Eugene, Oregon on July 23, 2022 PIC: Jewel SAMAD / AFP via Getty Images

The team had initially finished last, clocking 3.07.52 in the semi finals after Zibani Ngozi was obstructed leading to a baton drop during a change over with Keitumetse Maitseo.

However, the team was given a new lease of life and will therefore get a chance to fight for a medal. The coach decided to start the relay without 400m finalist, Bayapo Ndori.

Isaac Makwala and Leungo Scotch completed the team. Makwala will be running his last race for the national team in the relay final before focusing on his individual race at the Diamond League.

The Commonwealth Games champion has been around for a long time and proven many times that he has fast legs. His plan going to Oregon was to get revenge from what transpired in London 2017.

Makwala wanted to grab that one medal that is missing in his cabinet, which is a World Championships medal. It was not to be as he failed to reach the 400m final.

The 400m specialist announced last year that he will be retiring at the end of this season. He has highlighted the possibility of going into coaching. The team manager, Tshepo Kelaotswe said their targets have been achieved.

“We have a verified World Under-20 record, a national record in 100m, a personal best time in 100m and 400m by the debutants in their first feature in the World Athletics Championships stage, with Ndori finishing amongst the best eight in the world, finishing in position six,” he said.

Kelaotswe said the 4x400m finals results will be a bonus, podium finish is for anyone.

“It is the best 8/9 in the world putting up a show,” he added. Meanwhile, Ndori had a brilliant final when he gave his all against the best 400m runners. He stopped the clock at 45.29.

“I was an underdog and I just enjoyed my running without any pressure,” Ndori told this publication. Botswana was also looking forward to seeing Nijel Amos battling it for the 800m medal and getting revenge on Kenyan, Emmanuel Korir. The dream went down the drain after Amos was provisionally suspended a few days before the World Championships.

The third fastest 800m runner was suspended after failing a drug test. This led to 26-year-old Korir snatching the gold medal. His brilliant performance followed another gold that he won in Tokyo. Jumper, Thalosang Tshireletso also saw his dream of making World Championships debut going up on flames when he also failed a drug test ahead of the championships.

The next stop for this team is the Commonwealth Games starting next week in Birmingham. The team will join the rest of the athletics team who are already in the host city.