Seribe finishes 8th in historic Bolt race
Mqondisi Dube | Wednesday May 27, 2015 18:00
It was supposed to be Bolt’s night, a race in which the Jamaican announced his return to the track after being sidelined by recent injuries. The fastest man in the world proved why he has broken so many records in his glittering career with a season best dash of 20:13 secs.
Bolt is slowly getting into shape as he prepares for the World Championships slated for China in August.
Seribe, entered the race with this season’s second best time of 20:17 behind Kenyan Carvin Nkanata’s 20:14. Bolt has already clocked 20:20 in 2015, which was the third best.
Seribe’s time had ignited hopes of a historic upset, but Bolt stepped up and proved why he is the sprint king.
Seribe started on lane two while Bolt was a further four metres down in lane five. The Botswana athlete was way off his season best as he stuttered to a 21:69 finish.
Bolt, as usual, appeared stuck to the starting block as the gun went off but once he was upright, the result was never in doubt.
He strode home and barely raised a sweat against a field that lacked genuine intimidating names. US’ Isaiah Young (20:35) trailed Bolt in second while Greece’s Stafannos Tsakona finished third in a time of 20:62.
Nkanata, who had been this year’s best performer in the 200m, was a distant fifth crossing the line in 20:97.
Despite the wooden spoon disappointment, Seribe would find comfort in that he was among a cast that included a man who has imperiously dominated sprints in recent years.
“I fought like a man tla ba leka next time. Thanks for your support guys much appreciated,” Seribe posted on his Facebook page soon after the race.