The Botswana team in London
Calistus Kolantsho | Friday August 4, 2017 13:19
Isaac Makwala: He is the current 200m world leader. He will be competing in both the 200m and 400m at the World Championships. At the Madrid Meeting 2017, Makwala became the first man in history to run a 200m within 20 seconds and a 400m within 44 seconds on the same day, winning both events at the IAAF World Challenge meeting in the Spanish capital.
Makwala is in top form and stands a good chance of a podium finish in London. He forms part of the 4x400m relay team.
Nijel Amos: He has been going through a rough patch due to injuries. Amos is looking forward to redeem himself as he competes in the 800m. He has sent a strong message to his rivals ahead of the World Championships by winning three Diamond League races. After the changes he made to his technical team, which included engaging an American coach, Amos is expected to pick a medal. He is also a member of the 4x400m relay team.
Karabo Sibanda: He was one of four athletes to make his debut at the Eugene Diamond League. Sibanda finished fifth in Rio; the youngest-ever finalist in this event, running 44.25. He goes into the World Championships after recovering from a hamstring injury. He will compete in the 400m and 4x400m relay team.
Baboloki Thebe: He is a 400m specialist and broke into the world rankings by winning a silver medal in the 200m race at the 2014 Youth Olympics.
He made a breakthrough in the 400m in May 2016 with a run of 44.22 seconds, placing him third on the global seasonal lists and moving him into the all-time top 30 for the event.
Thebe’s season has been marred by injuries, which saw him withdraw from the Rio Olympics last year. Onkabetse Nkobolo: He is a 400m sprinter and competed at the 2015 World Championships in Beijing narrowly missing the semi-finals. Nkobolo was part of the men’s team that finished second in the IAAF World Relays in the Bahamas. The Francistown-born athlete is expected to be part of the 4x400m team.
Leaname Maotoanong: He comes in as a surprise package despite having competed with them in Rio. He is a 200m and 400m specialist.
Amantle Montsho: Since her return, Montsho has shown determination to redeem herself and guide the Botswana team to a successful World Championships campaign.
She has already clocked her season’s best in Lobatse (200m), Sasolburg (300m), Francistown (400m) and a good finish with the 4x400m relay team.
Montsho has reached her peak performance and anything is possible in London.
Lydia Jele: The 400m sprinter has demonstrated that she means business this year, making her appearance in the Diamond League after a gratifying run during last year’s Olympics. She is part of the 4x400m relay team.
Christina Botlogetswe: She has been steadily on the rise and was part of the team that made it to the Rio Olympics. She has never looked back since then and that motivation led to her qualifying for London. Botlogetswe is not under pressure and she is expected to go out and enjoy her time in London.
Goitseone Seleka: She is a 400m specialist with a personal best of 53.11 and a season’s best of 53.14. Under the guidance of Justice Dipeba, she has represented Botswana in various international competitions since 2010. Seleka now finds herself in the 4x400m relay due to her good performance.
Galefele Moroko: With the good form that she is in, Moroko is expected to add the much needed power during the button exchange. She is ranked fourth in the Botswana relay team.
Oarabile Babolai: She is a member of the 4x400m relay team and was part of the team that competed at World Relays in The Bahamas.