‘Swazi Bolt’s fastest season opener record
MBABANE – Sprinter Sibusiso ‘Swazi Bolt’ Matsenjwa clocked a season best in the AGN track and field yesterday morning at Pilditch in Pretoria, South Africa (SA).
Matsenjwa, who is the Beijing Olympics semi-finalist in the 200m, was competing in the same heat and finished first with a time of 20:72 seconds. The number one Eswatini sprinter who is also the Chairman of the Athletes Commission, together with senior athlete Phumlile Ndzinisa said he was very happy with his performance.
“I ran 200m in the time of 20.72 seconds, which is the fastest season opener ever in my sporting career and I am so happy about it. I’m definitely looking forward to the season as we have World Championships in Budapest in July and Olympics in Paris 2024,” he said.
Another of Eswatini’s trusted sprinters, Bongiwe Mahlalela, who was also competing in the 200 metres, finished fourth with a time of 24:75 seconds. Winning the heat was Mpontsheng Sekese from the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) who finished in 24:09 seconds. A season best is the best mark achieved by an athlete on a personal level within a given season. The Royal Eswatini Police Service (REPS) Athletics Club athlete’s personal best is 20:22 seconds. Long distance athlete, Mpendulo Mabuza competed in the 800m and finished 28th after 2:03:07 minutes. Meanwhile, ‘Swazi Bolt’ also recently got supplied earlier this week his first package by his personal sponsor, Adidas, of a training gear which he gets twice a year according to his contract.