Job half done, says new 100m champion

MQONDISI DUBE
Staff Writer | Tuesday April 24, 2012 00:00

 

New 100 metre champion, Yatea Kambepera is not celebrating his success yet, until qualification to the London 2012 Olympics is achieved.

The diminutive athlete from Sehitwa in the Ngami region tore the 100 metre record to shreds on Saturday, becoming the fastest man in the history of Botswana. He trimmed the national record, previously held by United States based athlete, Obakeng Ngwigwa from 10.43secs to power home in 10.36 secs.

But as Kambepera reflects on Saturday's success, the soft-spoken athlete, evidently struggling to remain grounded, believes the job is just half done. His target is the London Olympics and wants to hit a new mark of 9.99secs, throwing him a lifeline to face the likes of World champion, Usain Bolt this July. The Olympic qualifying time is 10.24. Kambepera, although excited at achieving the feat, believes this would be a futile exercise if he does not rub shoulders with the best athletes in London.

'I am happy with the time I ran, but sadly, I have not qualified for the Olympics. I could tell from the first 20 metres that something (breaking the record) was on,' he said during an interview at a Gaborone city lodge yesterday, before leaving for his base in South Africa.

Kambepera said he only learnt of the new record through the commentator at the UB Stadium. A footballer-turned-athlete, Kambepera attributes his newly found success to taking instructions from his coach. Four years ago, the 22-year-old youngster never imagined rising to the highest level, when he was still a student at Ngami CJSS in Sehitwa. Then he was a keen football player until a certain Mma Molefe (a teacher at Ngami now stationed at Sedia CJSS) spotted his talent.

'She encouraged me to drop soccer and instead take up athletics, and it has paid for me, although I should admit, I never expected it to go this far,' Kambepera said. The muscular Kampera, sporting a Mohawk hairstyle, hailed Senn Foods' athletics sponsorship, adding that it drives runners to achieve more.