Jele returns to the track
Calistus Kolantsho | Monday March 14, 2022 16:00
The sample for her blood was found to have contained a banned substance at the time. Over the weekend, Jele made a return to the track during the Golden Door Sports Agency series at the National Stadium. The series was part of preparations for the Gaborone International Meet scheduled for April 30 at the National Stadium.
The Meet is a World Athletics Continental Tour-Bronze category. Jele powered through a strong field to finish in position two stopping the clock at 53.49. Sport Monitor could not get a comment from Jele as her coach, Ofentse Jele explained that the runner was not comfortable talking to the media. “She would not agree Sir. I can only do it with her permission. I would try her but I highly doubt she would agree,” he said. The 400m heat was won by Zambian sprinter, Rhoda Njobvu with 52.87. Christine Botlogetswe who was starting her season breathed down Jele’s neck and reaching the finish line with a time of 53.75. Phenyo Majama had a brilliant run in the men’s 400m heat one, clocking 46.76 and booked himself a ticket to Mauritius for the Africa Senior Championships.
Tumiso Gabonamong finished second with a time of 47.29. Leaname Maotoanong had a bad day in the office finishing third with 47.56. Maotoanong was also making a comeback after missing out on the Tokyo 2020 Olympics.
Leungo Scotch also had a brilliant start in 400m heat two leading the race from the beginning to the end. He posted a time of 45.59. He also added his name in the Africa Senior Championships list. Zambian athlete, Samukunga Muzala finished second with a time of 45.65 and Maitseo Keitumetse finished third bringing home a time of 45.66.
The men’s 400m heat four was closely contested and Ndori Bayapo was able to attack on the finish line and claimed the race in 45.05. Anthony Pesela came second to register 45.92 and Ditiro Nzamani finished third clocking 46.23. Loungo Matlhaku of Jwaneng athletics club bolted off the blocks to claim the women’s 100m race with 11.88 in heat two. She would later on go on to claim the women’s 200m race in 23.52. However, the 200m was not easy as she was under threat from Tsaone Sebele but unfortunately she sustained an injury on the home straight. Boitshepiso Kelapile of Maun BDF athletics club was able to capitalize to claim the second spot with 24.40.
Obakeng Kambereka came third to register 25.00. Sebele registered the fastest time in the women’s 100m race clocking 11.80. Katlego Sam came second with a time of 12.86. Pearl Masibe came third with a time of 13.58. In another interesting race, Victor Ntweng set a new national record in the men’s 400m hurdles running 49.80.
The record has been held by Kemorena Tisang with 49.95. Ntweng has also booked himself a ticket to the Africa Senior Championships. Ntweng told Sport Monitor that he has set a national record and his personal best (PB). “I converted to hurdles this year and this is my third race. I am excited about my achievement today. I am ambitious to qualify for the Oregon World Athletics Championships which have a qualifying time of 48.90. From here I am going to work on that. I am going to correct my mistakes,” he said.
Ntweng said his coach is the one who convinced him to convert to hurdles because looking at his height because all along he was a 400m flat runner. He said now it is clear that he made the right choice.