Montsho wins gold at Commonwealth games

FREDERICK KEBADIRETSE
Staff Writer | Monday October 11, 2010 00:00

Montsho set a new record for the games with a time of 50.10 seconds, beating the previous record of 50.17 seconds set by Jamaica's Alexandra Anjela Richards 12 years ago in Kuala Lumpur. The world record is 47.60 seconds.

Trailing 1.29 seconds behind Montsho was Nigerian, Abugan Folashade, followed by Pompey Aliann Tabitha of Guyana in third place. Montsho might have entered lane six of the Jawaharlal Nehru Stadium track in the Indian capital New Delhi well aware that the hopes of the nation for a first gold medal lay solely on her shoulders as she is by far the best athlete the country has ever sent to the 'Club' Games.

The Mabudutsa-born sprinter was the centre of attraction in the finals as TV cameras couldn't get off her prior to the start after posting impressive results in her heats at the games, which she easily won.  She is also the reigning Africa champion, a title she has held for the past two years. A seemingly relaxed Montsho was calm, smiling at the cameras as if she was already sniffing gold in the air.

It did not come as a surprise when she recorded the quickest reaction time of 0.247 seconds at the start.  It took her only the first curve of the track to lead of the pack, extending it further on the second curve.  By the time she got to the home stretch, it was clearly visible that the Botswana lass was going for glory unless something extraordinary prevented it. 

Fifty meters away from the finish line she had already opened a gap of about seven meters from her closest competitor.  An elated Montsho told reporters after the medal award ceremony that she was not threatened at all ahead of the final and she knew she was going to win the race. 

She seemed to have made incredible progress in her preparations as she always did well only to falter at very crucial stages of the big competitions.

The 27-year- old Montsho should expect a hero's welcome back home at the end of the games.