�Rare gem� Thebe sets blistering pace
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday June 10, 2016 12:22
Thebe started his primary education in his village of birth, Ramonaka in Kgatleng before moving to Nthwalang Junior Secondary School and proceeded to Good Hope Senior Secondary School. It was at junior level when the young Thebe showed his sprinting prowess.
“I was a football player at primary school. I did not have much interest in athletics. My sports caster at junior school, Neo Nkane is the one who realised my potential in athletics. She encouraged me to concentrate on running. I took her advice and never looked back,” reveals the last born in a family of three.
Thebe says by then he did not have a proper coach. His determination saw him being called for the national team camp in December 2013. The camp was in preparation for the Gaborone 2014 Africa Youth Games. Thebe was in camp with the likes of Karabo Sibanda and Thabiso Sekgoma. It was during the camp that he met his current coach, Mogomotsi Otsetswe. Thebe says competing in the Youth Games was unsettling and exciting at the same time.
Thebe was making his debut on the track in front of thousands of spectators who had gathered at the National Stadium. The unknown youngster did not disappoint as he went on to make the ‘Blue, Black and White’ nation proud by winning a gold medal in the 200m and bronze in the 100m.
“After the 2014 Africa Youth Games, I went to the Youth Olympic Games where I won a silver medal in 200m. I missed the 2015 Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) National Championships due to injury,” he says.
Thebe continued working hard with his coach. His come back shocked the nation when he qualified for Rio 2016 Olympic Games in a time of 45:23secs in the 400m at UB Stadium. Thebe was spitting fire on the day beating Africa 400m champion, Isaac Makwala to the finishing line. He qualified for a second Olympic event in 200m by clocking 20:22secs at the National Stadium a fortnight ago.
“My life has changed for the better and I did not expect to clock these times right now. I have realised that I have the potential to make it in athletics. I still have a lot to learn and achieve,” he says. Thebe says being in the same stage with the best athletes in the World such as Kirani James was a dream come true during his IAAF Samsung Diamond League debut in Birmingham last week. He says the opportunity gave him the chance to feel what he should expect in Rio in August. He reveals that the focus has now shifted to the Africa Senior Championships in Durban en route to the World Junior Championships in Poland.
“My family is excited about my achievements. The problem is that they want me to run every race. Despite that, I enjoy their support very much,” he says with a chuckle.
Thebe says his dream is to set a personal best in either junior or senior level competitions. He says he also dreams of bringing a medal from the World Junior Championships. For his part, Otsetswe describes Thebe as a rare gem. He says the athlete needs to be taken care of. He adds Thebe’s discipline will take him places and at 19 years, Thebe has time on his side.
Fact File
Full names: Baboloki Thebe
Date of birth: April 18, 1997
Place of birth: Ramonaka village
Sport: Athletics
PB: 200m (20:21), 400m (44:22)
Category: sprinter, 200m and 400m
Role model: Usain Bolt
Meal: Pap and beef stew