Local athletes raise Olympic Medal hopes
The past few days have been categorized by stellar performance from local athletes, particularly the 400m sensation Isaac Makwala and the magnificent 800m champion, Nijel Amos, as they have been taking the world stage by storm heading into the Tokyo2021 Games.
It goes without saying, that the two have raised the hopes of local fans, with now the possibility of winning a medal at the upcoming Tokyo Olympics games within sight. The two runners will have to carry on their form into the upcoming games and fly the national flag. The on form Amos recently brought delight to local fans with his sterling performance during Wanda Diamond League, in Monaco last Friday. The Marobela born superstar grabbed the top sport in a World Leading Time of 1: 42: 91. He is currently the fastest man in the world in 800m this year, which can be considered a confidence boost going into the prestigious Olympic Games. Having had his ups and downs, nursing injuries, Amos made a clear statement reintroducing himself to the world and to the racing track in style. The more mature and stronger Amos has ensured that his critics eat humble pie. The Olympic silver medalist did not compete at the Wanda Doha Diamond League meeting in May due to a minor knock but he came back firing all cylinders last week.
While it took a young fresh- faced teenager to get Botswana what they had been chasing all along, an Olympic medal at the 2012 London Olympics, he is now a man with the hopes of the country on his feet once again. This past
Sunday, another sporting national treasure, Isaac Makwala, did not want to be left behind as he continued the Nation’s winning streak when he took to the 400m track in the Sotteville- lés- rouen International meeting in France finished the race in first position with a time of 45.16 secs.
Makwala has been on fine form since he qualified for the Olympics back in May. He has traveled the world and dominated both the 400m and 200m races in the past few months and he looks very sharp and ready to take on some of the finest athletes in the world. Thus far the 35 year old has defied both age and injuries to remain a world beater. Although he has been nursing injuries in the past year, he came back with a bang and ready to prove to the world that age is indeed just a number. Makwala is expected to race on Sunday 6 August at the Olympics in the 400m heat.