Wazha Matakule became the latest athlete to qualify for the championships following his performance at the Southern African Confederation of Athletics (SACA) Under-18 and Under-20 championships that were held in Mauritius over the weekend. He won a bronze medal in Men’s Under-20 100m, clocking 10.49s. Matakule joins Same Mhutsiwa, Junior Phatsima and Jack Newman who stamped their tickets to the World Under-20 Championships during the 2026 Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) National Championships. Team Botswana proved that they are a powerhouse after scooping 20 medals at the SACA championships. BAA Sport Development Manager (Technical), Patrick Moesi, highlighted to Sport Monitor that the performance of the team was impressive and the athletes did not disappoint. “We sought to accord them another opportunity to qualify for the World Under-20 Championships in Oregon. “The conditions in Mauritius were however, not allowing as in most cases there were heavy winds aiding some performances,” hesaid.
The team got off to a great start on day one scooping 11 medals, with four gold medals, three silver and four bronze medals. The gold medals were won by Reiniours Geza in the men’s Under-18 400m stopping the clock at 49.11s, with Junior Phatsima claiming a gold medal in the men’s Under 20 400m clocking 46.31s. Same Mhutsiwa powered to victory in the women’s Under-20 100m to claim a gold medal for Botswana in 11.84s. The men’s Under-20 4x100m relay team that comprised of Phatsima, Newman, Lucky Chivero and Matakule scooped a gold medal in a time of 41.66s. Jayden Mathambo won a silver medal in the men’s Under-20 110m hurdles posting a time of 14.75s. Another silver medalist is Lebogang Mugagu from men’s Under-20 1,500m race clocking 4:03.59.
