Makwala wins 400m in SA
Thato Kala | Monday May 12, 2014 11:45
The Quarte Bornes feat was a stadium record. Last weekend, the runner broke the 100m national record with a time of 10.20 seconds.
He also emerged victorious in the 200m race, cementing a perfect start to the season. In South Africa, he started the 400m heats well on Friday with a 45.85 seconds finish and an improved 45.43 seconds in the semis.
The Tutume-born sprinter is happy with his progress as he recalls that his first 400m engagement of the season was in South Africa at the Sasolburg Meet where he ran 46.04 secs.
“I am happy about my good form, my target was to run sub 45,” he said.
Prominent Zimbabwean sprinter, Talkmore Nyongani congratulated the Botswana sprint star on Saturday.
“Well done and welcome to the sub 45 seconds African heroes list,” Nyongani wrote on Makwala’s Facebook wall.
Makwala usually clocks 45 seconds around June and is elated he has done it early. He is convinced his chances of winning a medal at the Commonwealth Games this year have improved.
He said he will retain his continental title when at the African Championships in Morocco from August 10-18. Makwala won the African Championships in Benin two years ago.
The South Africa Open Championships were his final meet ahead of the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow in July and the African Championships.
His training partner, Pako Seribe also did well in South Africa finishing second in the finals after running 45.04. He had done 45.39 in the heats before improving in the finals.