Thebe Stuns Makwala, Wins 400m Title
Kabelo Boranabi | Monday April 29, 2019 12:51
Thebe has just returned from injury and was pitted in a star-studded line-up that included local sprinters, Onkabetse Nkobolo and Leungo Scotch as well as Zambian starlet, Copacopa Hamayuwa.
In an exciting race that kept the spectators on their feet, former African champion, Makwala started the race well and looked on course to easily clinch the title, but it was Thebe who gained he momentum in the last 200m to show the local trio a pair of heels and win the race in a time of 45.34 seconds.
Nkobolo came second while Scotch finished third in 45.59 and 45.75 seconds respectively. Makwala finished sixth. Speaking to journalists after the race, Thebe was happy to win the title and said this is part of his preparations for the World Championships for later this year.
“This was all part of the training. This is what I have worked on with my coach and I ran according to instructions. I just have to keep fit,” he said.
The men’s 400m race was not the only surprise on the evening as youngster, Tshepo Masalesa beat Boitumelo Masilo to win the 800m event in a time of 1:50:16. Masilo finished in second place with a time 1:50:95.
The 2018 Region V Youth Games champion has been on excellent form recently as he did a personal best time of 1:47.81 during the Botswana Athletics Association track and field event held at the National Stadium in March.In other races, Christine Botlogetswe cruised to win the women’s 400m race in a time of 52.17 seconds as Galefele Moroko came in second while Namibian Tjipekapora Herunga finished third. Karabo Mothibi and South African-based Tsaone Sebele won the men’s and women’s 100m races respectively.
Botswana continued its dominance on the sprints winning both the 4x100 women’s and 4x400 men’s relays while Zimbabwe clinched 4x400m women’s race as Zambia won the 4x100 men’s event.