Emotional win for me - Kebinatshipi’s coach
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday September 8, 2026 10:05
Today, the 22-year-old is threatening the 400m World Record of 43.03s that was set by Wayde Van Niekerk at the Rio 2016 Olympic Games. Kebinatshipi dominated the 400m race, blasting all the way to break the Diamond League Record (DLR) for the third time this season.
In the process, he set a new Meeting Record (MR) and a National Record (NR), stopping the clock at 43.40s.
His winning time erased his previous records from Paris and Monaco and moving him to joint fifth on the world all-time list.
Kebinatshipi now has the record of most Sub-44 second races in a single season with five marks of 43.40s, 43.44s, 43.54s and 43.92s.
The champion now joins Isaac Makwala as the second African to win the men’s 400m title.
Ntshwarang told Sport Monitor that Kebinatshipi’s victory was an amazing feeling and also an emotional one.
When asked about his final instructions to the World Champion ahead of the DL 400m final, Ntshwarang said he did not say much, the most important thing was not be complacent and maintain what he has been doing.
“Like I said, his win was emotional one more especially that it is his first Diamond League trophy. We will always cherish the moment for ever and nothing beats the feeling of being physically in the stadium when he delivered the magic.
“You know, when I started coaching Collen, I saw something special in him and a talent that could go all the way and Yes, I believed he could reach this level,” he said.
As the world champion, Kebinatshipi's spot had long ago been sealed for the end-of-season inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championships.
The competition starts on Friday (September 11 to 13) at the National Athletics Center in Budapest, Hungary.
Ntshwarang noted that now with a Diamond League title under his belt, the most important thing is to avoid pressure.
“I cannot say it is clear that he will clinch the Ultimate Championships trophy, but we have created a situation where he could be amongst those that will decide where it goes,” he said.
Speaking to the media after the race, Kebinatshipi said both the victory and the time were incredible, but taking home the Wanda Diamond League trophy stands out the most.
He added that after being undefeated the entire season, he feels like he really deserves the reward.
Kebinatshipi’s training partner, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, won the men’s 400m invitational race in Brussels, with a Season’s Best (SB) of 44.50.
Ntshwarang said Eppie had a busy season, back to back championships and now running well towards the bigger one is a great achievement.
He said now they have to bring those standards to the World Athletics Ultimate Championships, work hard to qualify for the final.
Meanwhile, it was a tough day in the office for the 200m Olympic Champion, Letsile Tebogo as he closed the Diamond League circuit in fourth position, clocking 20.01s.
The men’s 200m Diamond League winner is American sprinter, Kenneth Bednarek.
Bednarek registered a World Leading time of 19.62s with South African and Commonwealth Games champion, Sinesipho Dambile in 19.89s and Zimbabwean sprinter, Makanakaishe Charamba claimed the third spot in 19.99s.
It was mixed outcome for Oratile Nowe after she was disqualified for lane infringement in the women’s 800m final..
She was the reinstated and elevated to position four after Saida Tsehaye of Ethiopia was booted out for lane infringement. Nowe had finished her race in position five with a time of 1:59.75.