Sibanda continues with good run
Tlotlo Kebinakgabo | Tuesday February 7, 2017 15:06
Even though the meet was a heat and final competition, where time determined the winner, the 400m race did not disappoint as it proved to be the main attraction of the day.
It was the only race pitting big names against each other. Heat three, which was the final and fastest of them all, saw three athletes, Sibanda, Boitumelo Masilo and Onkabetse Nkobolo, who represented Botswana at the 2016 Rio Olympics, competing against each other.
Starting in lane five, Sibanda, with his speed, proved to be the strongest athlete of the heat as he made a quick start over the first 200m, maintained his speed up until the 300m mark and clearly distributed his effort well as he entered the home straight leading the pack.
He however seemed to struggle a bit in the last 50m but that did not affect him as he won the race in 45.41s to show that his previous weekend and qualifying time of 45.26s was not a fluke. Masilo settled for second spot, crossing the line in 46.12s whereas Nkobolo finished third with 46.66s. On the other hand, Omphemetse Mokgadi won heat two in 48.54s while Ofentse Moeti emerged the winner in heat one finishing the race in 49.97s.
“I wasn’t really here to compete. My coach told me to come and push Nkobolo so he can qualify for the World Championships and Masilo to secure a spot in the men’s 400m in Botswana,” Sibanda said.
He said he hopes to improve as the season progresses.
“But I am not worried that I can reach peak early as I slowly build my fitness,” he added. Sibanda felt he could have run faster had it not been for the windy conditions. “Yet again it is a 50/50 situation as even though the wind affected me on the home straight, it also pushed me in the back straight.”
Despite the absence of Amantle Montsho, the women’s 400m race also drew attention with top athletes clashing. Lydia Jele emerged the winner, crossing the line in 52:62s ahead of last season’s rival, Christine Botlogetswe who finished second in 53.51s whereas Goitseone Seleka (55.10s) settled for third spot.
Isaac Makwala did not start the season as many had expected after he finished second in the 100m in a time of 10.48s. Karabo Mothibi was the winner, finishing in 10.47s in what proved to be the fastest time in all 100m heats.