Makwala eyes second Diamond League win
Mqondisi Dube | Friday July 18, 2014 12:07
The Botswana athlete is aiming for a fourth straight victory in international races after a fairy tale run in Switzerland and Scotland in the past two weeks during which he smashed the Africa 400m record the Botswana 200m mark.
In what has been, by far, the best fortnight of his career, Makwala eased to his first ever Diamond League win after making his debut last month.
He is eyeing a second consecutive Diamond League win when he races in Monaco tonight.
The powerful Makwala would want to emulate the talented Amantle Montsho who won the women’s 400m Diamond League title last year. Another Motswana, Nijel Amos is in good stead to grab a maiden Diamond League title in the 800m where he is placed second.
Makwala is aware of the tough fight he faces tonight in Monaco. He has admitted it will not be a walkover. “I am in good condition but I know it is going to be tough tonight,” Makwala said from his base in France yesterday. LaShawn Merrit of the US and last year’s winner in Monaco, Kevin Borlee from Belgium will provide Makwala with stiff competition.
Meanwhile, in the 800m, London Olympics gold medallist, David Rudisha and his runner-up, Amos will renew their rivalry in Monaco. When Rudisha strode to victory last weekend, Amos was competing in the 400m. But the gap-toothed Botswana athlete returns to form a formidable 800m line-up.
Monaco 400m start list
Anne Mame-Ibra (France), Borlee Kevin (Belgium), Makwala Isaac (Botswana), Mcquay Tony (USA), Merritt LaShawn (USA), Roberts Gil (USA), Santos Luguelín (Dominica) Williams Conrad (Great Britain)
800m start list
Aman Mohammed (Ethiopia), Amos Nijel (Botswana), Bosse Pierre-Ambroise
(France) Cheruiyot Ferguson Rotich (Kenya), Kaki Abubaker (Sudan) Lewandowski Marcin (Poland), Osagie Andrew (Great Britain) Rowe Alexander (Australia), Rudisha David (Kenya),
Solomon Duane (USA), Tangui Sammy (Kenya)