Inter’l sprinters invade Botswana!
The local athletes will naturally attract more cheers as they are gearing up to take on their international counterparts, and while the internationals might be the top dogs, Botswana athletes are expected to put up a fight!
Leading the pack is none other than Botswana’s own Olympic bronze medallist and 2x Commonwealth Games Champion, Isaac Makwala. Fresh out of retirement from the national team, he’s eager to reclaim his title in the men’s 400m. But Makwala will have some tough competition from Grenadian professional sprinter and Olympic medallist, Kirani James, who’s not one to back down from a challenge.
By all measure the event is expected to be an exciting and thrilling showdown, folks, as local supporters witness history in the making. With the FNB Gaborone Golden Grand Prix reportedly being broadcast to over 150 countries worldwide, the event is expected to be one for the books.
Another hard- fought battle is expected in the men’s 100m featuring Botswana’s best runners Tebogo Letsile and Thuto Masasa who are expected to carry Botswana’s flag in the battle against some of the world’s best sprinters. They will be up against international sprinters that include the likes of 100m African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, Marvin Bracy of the United States, the world and Olympic 200m silver medallist, Kenny Bednarek.
In the men’s 200m sprints, 20- year- old rising star Letsile Tebogo who is a World U20 Record Holder in the men’s 100m with a time of 9.91, a 2x World U20 Champion in the men’s 100m, a 2x silver medallist in the men’s 200m at the World Athletics U20 Championships is expected to carry his dominance against some of the world’s best 200m runners on his soil. But he will have to be on his toes to beat Canadian Olympic medallist, Aaron Brown, a two- time Olympic medallist and Blake Jerome, who is the 2020 Olympic silver medallist and the 2022 World champion to name a few.
Among the expected highlights, Botswana women runners aim to stun their international opponents. Among the women in 200m, there is Lydia Jele and Winnie Sarefo who will enter the blocks against one of the world’s favorite, Sha ´ Carri Richardson, an American runner who is the 7th all- time 100m women and holds a personal best of 22.00s.
Fresh off her victory at the Athletics South Africa ( ASA) Athletics Grand Prix 1/ Continental Tour Challenger in Pretoria, claiming first position in women’s 200m, Botswana’s finest runner, Tsaone Sebele will be eager to extend her domestic dominance. But she will need to be at her best to beat her compatriot, Boitshepo Moloi and the likes of Twanisha Terry, Javianna Oliver from United State of America, as well as other international stars.
Other events on the programme include the men’s and women’s long jump, shot put, huddles, 800m, 400m.
Botswana athletes
Men’s 100m, Thuto Masasa and Letsile Tebogo Men’s 200m, Letsile Tebogo, Anthony Pesela Men’s 400m, Isaac Makwala, Bayapo Ndori and Leungo Scotch
Men’s 800m, Tshepiso Masalela and Boitumelo Masilo
Men’s 400Mh, Kemorena Tisang and Victor Ntweng
Men’s long jump, Thapelo Wayne Monaiwa, Thuto Blessing Mothomme and Norman Chibane Men’s shot put, Omphile Phokoje and Tshepo Taukong
Women’s 100m, Tsaone Sebele, Boitshepo Moloi Women’s 200m, Lydia Jele and Winnie Sarefo Women’s 400m, Naledi Lopang and Thompang Basele
Women’s 800m, Oratile Nowe and Kelebogile Bile Women’s long jump, Tshegofatso Bojosi and Neo Kendy Theetso
Women’s shot put, Kelebogile Ambrose and Josephine Kayombo