Makwala Smiles All The Way To The Bank

Mqondisi Dube | Monday August 28, 2017 16:29

Makwala was fresh from a controversy laden World Championships, where he was barred from competing in the 400m finals, before he was allowed to run an unusual solo 200m race.

In the form of his life, Makwala disappointedly emerged from London without a medal, which left him still battling for a significant win on the world stage.

Makwala has, at times, frustrated and faltered to deceive on the biggest stage, but that statistic changed in immaculate fashion on Thursday night.

The 400m race had already been robbed of its star attraction, Wayde Van Niekerk who withdrew with a back injury.

It left the battle for gold between Makwala and Stephen Gardner of Bahamas.

While the gods of luck frowned on Makwala in London, they smiled handsomely on the Tutume born in Zurich on Thursday night.

Gardner slipped as he attempted to take off the blocks and from then on there was no doubting that the oval shaped gong was heading to Botswana.

Makwala thundered down the track with little resistance from his pursuers and finished with a healthy lead in 43.95. There was still time to further wow the crowd as the new fan favourite, signed off with his trademark press ups celebration.

It has been a gratifying and by miles, a successful season for the former African champion, who produced a stunning one day double in Madrid, Spain on the eve of the World Championships.

His bank account had already been boosted after President Ian Khama announced that Makwala will receive P100,000 for his valiant efforts at the World Championships, where many felt he had been robbed of a great opportunity to land a medal.

Attention now shifts to Nijel Amos who is in contention for a second Diamond League series win. Amantle Montsho is the other local athlete to win the series.