Tebogo, Kebinatshipi on Diamond League big payout hunt

Calistus Kolantsho | Friday September 4, 2026 09:42

Both athletes' next stop after the Diamond League finals is the World Athletics Ultimate Challenge that gets underway next week.

The final is set for an electrifying 200m showdown, with Tebogo and American sprinter Kenneth Bednareck renewing their fierce rivalry.

South African Sinesipho Dambile, who is the Commonwealth 200m champion, will also be looking to shake up the podium. Tebogo is ranked second with 30 points in the men’s 200m. Following a brilliant season, Kebinatshipi tops the men’s 400m standings with 40 points after dominating all five races he had competed in.

Kebinatshipi will battle it out against Jacory Patterson, Zakithi Nene, Rai Benjamin, Matthew Hudson-Smith, Jereem Richards and Chris Bailey.

Kebinatshipi’s coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, told MmegiSport that the athlete has done well this season and has a high level of consistency not only for winning but also clocking good times. “The way he has been running gives us an opportunity for him to do well during the final,” he said.

“He just has to carry his momentum into the final and see what happens. These are always tough events, but chances are much better as compared to a different scenario.” Ntshwarang added that Kebinatshipi is ready to deliver and win a Diamond League title. He said it has been a good season with amazing performances.

The coach stated they are not chasing the World record but to maintain consistency and see how the season goes, as they are left with three races. “We just have to keep it simple, as they have been doing with eyes kept on the main objective, which is to win the Diamond League and Ultimate Championship,” Ntshwarang said. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) sport development manager (technical), Patrick Moesi, said the final is going to be tough, but he expects local stars to come in with guns blazing. “Tebogo is now almost at where we know him, and he will obviously be going for the title. We know what he can do when he is at his best. Kebinatshipi has had a great season, and I do not see him letting go at this crucial moment,” Moesi said.

“I am optimistic that they are all going to do well and win the Diamond League. It is also a chance for Kebinatshipi to double, winning the Diamond League and the Ultimate Championship.”

The biggest names in track and field will battle it out for the first major global title of 2026. The final will take place at the Allianz Memorial Van Damme on Friday and Saturday, with all 32 Diamond League champions crowned over the course of two days. The majority of athletes have qualified via the Road to the Final, competing across four different continents between May and September to earn their place in the season finale and a shot at the iconic Diamond Trophy.

A handful of big-name wild cards will also be in the mix, with Olympic-level fields across all 32 events.

Schedule: September 4: 400m final. Time: 9:52pm September 5: 200m final. Time: 8:44pm