Times of Eswatini

‘Swazi Bolt’ sets new national record in UK

- STORIES BY NIMROD HLOPHE

MBABANE – Records are falling like a house of cards.

That is the case of the fastest sprinter in the country, Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa, who has done it again. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Athletics Club star has achieved a new national record at the ongoing World Athletics Indoor Championsh­ips held in Glasgow, in the United Kingdom (UK). ‘Swazi Bolt’ sprinted through the 60-metre heat race in a breathtaki­ng 6.74 seconds, to finish fifth out of seven sprinters. The race was won by the world-renowned Jamaican sprinter Akeem Blake.

Record

“I’m glad to come here in Glasgow and have a good time by setting a new national record and this is part of my preparatio­ns for the 2024 Olympic Games. I’ll be forever grateful for the support by AE, Eswatini Olympic and Commonweal­th Games Associatio­n and Royal Eswatini Police Service,” Matsenjwa said on Friday after the record-breaking feat.

Meanwhile, Eswatini Athletics (AE) Marketing and Communicat­ions Manager Victor ‘Mavikane’ Dlamini congratula­ted Matsenjwa, saying he was indeed an inspiratio­n to upcoming athletes.

“He has shown that it is possible for even young stars, since ‘Swazi Bolt’ was also discovered under school sports while at Mphundle High School. It has been his commitment and discipline took him to where he is today. We are proud of him and he must continue working hard and, we hope he’ll make some light work of his competitor­s in the African Games,” ‘Mavikane’ said.

A couple of weeks ago, ‘Swazi Bolt’ had also set a new national record in the 150-metre race in South Africa. He secured second position with a time of 15:33 seconds.

 ?? (Courtesy pic) ?? Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa has broken his South Africa’s 150-metre of 15:33 seconds with a new record at the World Athletics Indoor Championsh­ips held in the United Kingdom.
(Courtesy pic) Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa has broken his South Africa’s 150-metre of 15:33 seconds with a new record at the World Athletics Indoor Championsh­ips held in the United Kingdom.

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