Amos, Thebe Dominant, Makwala Falters
Mqondisi Dube | Monday June 27, 2016 14:02
Thebe beat Makwala into a surprise fourth place to become the new African champion. The youngster crossed the line in 44:69 seconds ahead of fellow country man, Karabo Sibanda who was second in 45:42. Nigeria’s Chidi Okezie was third in 45:76 ahead of Makwala who finished a disappointing fourth.
Amos dominated the 800m to finish in 1:45:11 ahead of South Africans, Jacob Rozani (1:45:38) and Rynhardt van Rensburg (1:46:15).
High jumper, Goabaone Mosheleketi finished 12th with a jump of 15:72 in the triple jump. Leungo Matlhaku was in the 200m final on the last day of competition yesterday. She had come third in the semi-final with a time of 23:80. Both the men and women’s 4x400m relay teams were in action yesterday where they were expected to grab podium positions. Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president, Glody Dube said the performances, particularly in the men’s 400m, have been pleasing. He said this was evidence that the athletes no longer make numbers in continental competitions, but go there to compete.
“So far so good. The guys are doing well particularly the men’s 400m team. The girls are also progressing well. It shows that we now compete and not just make numbers,” Dube said. He said Makwala’s fourth place finish did not come as a surprise.
“It was not a surprise. He is respected but the rising stars are very dangerous but I believe Isaac will admit that these things happen in athletics. It is about your day. Look at the Diamond League race in Birmingham where Makwala finished second and Thebe sixth. This happens,” Dube said.
He said as BAA they do not extend preferential treatment to certain athletes based on their profile.
“For us, we send them as a team. We don’t have champions or important athletes. They are all equal until they come back with titles as champions.” Meanwhile, Thebe was crowned the region’s junior sportsman of the year at the Regional Annual Sports Awards (RASA) 2016 held in Johannesburg on Saturday to confirm his rise.