Montsho�s 2011 victory to spur team in Beijing
Kabelo Boranabi | Friday August 21, 2015 14:35
Botswana has embarked on another seven-men team expedition to the 15th World Championships starting in Beijing, China tomorrow until August 30.
The Justice Dipeba coached team would draw inspiration from Montsho’s exploits four years ago as they bid for more glory. On fire 2012 London Olympics silver medalist, Nijel Amos will be carrying the nation’s hopes on his strong shoulders when the whistle goes. The 21year old lad from Marobela has been excellent in his races with six races won out of his last seven
This, despite coming from an injury. He currently leads the Samsung Diamond League standings with 16points, six ahead of world record holder, David Rudisha.
The 2014 Commonwealth Games gold medalist however faces fierce competition from Rudisha. Alhough in his late ages, the Kenyan is still a force to reckon with.
Amos will also be worry of Olympic bronze medalist, Mohammed Aman, despite being always shadowed by the Motswana and Kenyan. In most cases the Ethiopian has performed exceptionally in their absence.
African 400m record holder, Isaac Makwala also carries the nation hopes of securing a medal. Despite his inconsistent displays in the past, Makwala has recorded the fifth fastest time in the 400m race.
He recently stunned his South African competitor, Wayne Van Niekerk when he regained his African record in less than 24 hours with a time of 43.72 in Switzerland.
The two Africans will have a mammoth task in the 400m category, as they will face Olympic champion Kirani James and World champion LeShawn Merritt.
Onkabetse Nkobolo (4x400m), Sakarea Kamberuka (4x400m), Pako Seribe (4x400m), Leaname Maotoanong (4x400m), and high jumper Kabelo Kgosiemang form the Botswana team.
In other races, 100m-world record holder , Usain Bolt will have to bring his A-game if he is to win the race this year. Justin Gatlin, the former Olympic champion, is unbeaten with no fewer than four wins this year. Another long time rival Tyson Gay will also challenge for the honours. The trio will have to sweat for the title with youngster Jimmy Vicaut, who recently equaled the European record. In the women’s category of the race Jamaican sprinter Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce would be looking to be an undisputed third women’s 100m-world crown. She will have to sweat for the title with American national champion Tori Bowie and the second fastest woman in the 100m race this year English Gardner. Also in the mix is the European champion Dafne Schippers of the Netherlands.