Letsile Tebogo finished in second place, clocking a Season’s Best (SB) of 45.42 whilst another local athlete, Leungo Scotch was fifth with a time of 45.57. Tumo van Wyk finished the race in position seven crossing the line in 47.09 in a race that had a strong presence of local athletes. Ndori told MmegiSport that he enjoyed his race as it went according to plan. Despite his brilliant performance, Ndori said he is still preparing for the upcoming season. “I have not done the speed programme because we started our season late in December, so we are a month behind in the programme. This season we are doing something different, nothing tense like in the past two years, now it is a bit easier because we are targeting only two major championships this year, the World Athletics Championships and the World Relays. As things stand, there is no pressure, I just want to enjoy my season,” he said. Ndori’s biggest test will come at the Maurie Plant Meet in Australia on March 29 where he will be on the track with Tebogo. For his part, Tebogo said he was impressed by the performance of his teammates although they did not reach their goal.
He explained that running the 400m was for endurance as he prepares for upcoming competitions such as the World Athletics Championships and Diamond League races. Tebogo said he always starts his season in South Africa because they have better facilities. “We have been based in Potchefstroom for the past two weeks, training and competing. From here we will be flying to Australia. I think we will go there two weeks before the race to acclimatise,” he said. Tebogo said one thing he learnt last season was never to underestimate his opponent. “I was underestimated; I took that chance and moved forward. This is the year for recovery, next year we start working hard for the Olympics. I am not on a mission to prove anything to the world. I just have to go and handle my business. But my opponents should be uncomfortable when I am around. They know what I am capable of,” Tebogo said.
Ketlhobogile Haingura took the men’s 800m race in 1:44.67. Haingura trains at the Sepeng Athletics Project in Pretoria. Speaking after the race, Haingura said the weather conditions were perfect for him to deliver a perfect run. “This was my second 800m race this season, and my plan was to go hard. I am fortunate to be training in Pretoria because they have better facilities and there is better competition compared to back home. For us to match other countries like Kenya in 800m is to continue training hard,” he said. Haingura said his plan is to make it to the World Athletics Championships where he intends to do better and challenge for a medal. Other local athletes, Tshepiso Masalela won the men’s 3000m contest clocking 07:58.99 whilst Oratile Nowe opened her season by blazing through the women’s 800m with a phenomenal time of 1:59.46 setting the new Botswana national record. Nowe also trains at the Sepeng Athletics Project. Mothusi Boitshwarelo and Rebeile Thwanyane finished in position six and eight respectively in the men’s 100m race.
