Teenager breaks national javelin record

| Monday April 29, 2013 00:00

 The massive throw by the 19-year-old in the finals late on Saturday afternoon saw her better the 39.95m set in 2006. 'I wasn't aiming at setting a new record. I just wanted to do well today and this is quite encouraging for me,' a surprised Lefitile told Sport Monitor. The Francistown Athletics Club (FAC) javelin thrower walked away with an P5,000 bonus on top of the P1,000 prize money.

The sponsors of the national championships, Senn Foods gave the bonus as a reward for the new record.The bonus was not part of the sponsorship. 'This must encourage other athletes that hard work pays off. The only special thing I would say I did was follow my training programme consistently and I am grateful to my family and friends for all the support they have given me,' she said. Despite her remarkable feat, it was the upset caused in the 100m that stole the limelight at the championships.

Last year's 100m champion, Yateya Kambepera, surrendered his title to little-known Keene Motukisi of UB Athletics Club. Kambepera, whose 10.36secs finish last year was a new record  finished second this time around.Disappointingly, the electronic timing system was a big letdown during the race. The hand timing record showed that Motukisi clocked 9.54 secs, while Kambepera did 9.85 secs.

Kambepera blamed his slump on a recurring hamstring injury that kept him off the track for a long spell after last year's achievement. 'I didn't do my best this time around, the injury affected me quite a lot. For a long time,I was not training and I felt it today,' Kambepera said. His disqualification in the 200m for false starts made matters worse for an athlete from whom a lot was expected. Competition in the race was diluted after Isaac Makwala and Fanuel Kenosi pulled out through hamstring injuries, leaving Obakeng Ngwigwa to sail through easily.

Ngwigwa admitted that if Makwala, Kenosi and Kambepera participated, the race could have been more competitive. 'I feel it could have been better with the other guys who are all good with 200m but I'm quite happy with my performance,' he said. The women's 400m was a thrilling event with Galefele Moroko emerging victorious after clocking 54.08 secs ahead of Goitseone Seleka with 54.42 secs and Christine Botlogetswe (57.34).In the men's 400m, 2012 Olympics reserve, Pako Seribe finished a distant third behind Thapelo Ketlogetswe who clocked 46.50 and Onkabetse Nkobolo with 46.72.

Seribe finished the race in 46.92. Leungo Matlhaku continued her dominance in the women's 100m with by winning in 11.34. Tsaone Sebele was second with 11.66. Kabelo Kgosiemang retained his high jump national title with a 2.20m leap with Gobe Takobane finishing second with 2.05. Kgosiemang had already qualified for the World Championships before the weekend competition. Olympic silver medallist, Nigel Amos who had registered for 400m did not compete on Saturday as he is said to be struggling with a hamstring injury.

Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) public relations officer, Ipolokeng Ramatshaba said he was happy with the turnout on Saturday. Up to 300 athletes took part in the meet with hundreds of fans watching the championships.'The competition was well organised, the performances were good. We have a new national record in javelin and we also saw some surprises that include Motukisi dethroning Kambepera,' Ramatshaba said.