Makwala rekindles medal hopes
Tuesday, August 25, 2015
Isaac Makwala
The African 400m record holder finished first in the second semi-final with a time of 44.11. Makwala started the race in unfavourable lane nine, but his powerful start and being resolute throughout the entire race was enough to hand him top spot.
Before the gun went, Makwala pointed downwards in what was interpreted as a message to say he is in Beijing to stay. Indeed, he kept his promise and after the race Makwala got down to the track to perform some push-ups to show his opponents that he was pumped up for the final. Makwala’s breakthrough came less than a day after Amos failed to qualify for the 800m finals. All hopes will be on Makwala now that Amos is out, but he will face tough competition in the final.
It is not uncommon in this part of the world for parents to actually punish their children when they show signs of depression associating it with issues of indiscipline, and as a result, the poor child will be lashed or given some kind of punishment. We have had many suicide cases in the country and sadly some of the cases included children and young adults. We need to start looking into issues of mental health with the seriousness it...