Fastest 200m throws Makwala into 'dilemma'

THATO KALA
Correspondent | Tuesday July 9, 2013 00:00

 

Makwala's 20:21 secs finish on Sunday in Switzerland qualifies him as an A standard runner in the 200m event at the World Championships in Moscow, Russia, next month.The 200m cut off time for A standards is 20,52 for men.Makwala had already qualified automatically as an Area Champion.According to the championships' rules, athletes who have won an event at continental level championships are granted automatic qualification, irrespective of whether they have achieved the benchmark. 

The sprinter expressed his excitement over the Meeting La Chaux success in Switzerland and hopes to build up on it. His record was confirmed La Chaux Stadium's new record. It also becomes the new 200 metres record in Botswana.'I feel great after running my best time in the 200 metres. It's also encouraging because this is the new national record plus it was a stadium record,' Makwala told Mmegi Sport.

He is upbeat ahead of the World Championships that kick off on August 10 and run until August 18.The 400 metre specialist said the decision to run 200 metres was to enhance his speed with the shorter event. But, he admits the pleasant situation now puts him in a 'dilemma' ahead of the Moscow Championships in under six weeks.'I'm now in a dilemma ahead of the World Champs. I automatically qualified as a 400m African champion and now the 200 metres is here. I will make a decision soon,' he said.

'The nice thing about it is that my dilemma is quite a delighting one,' he added.The Championships' rules allow Makwala to take part in both events, but he insists he will ponder on it before making a decision.On Sunday, he also ran his traditional 400m. He finished the race in 45,86 secs.On his way to being crowned African champion, Makwala ran 400m in 45,25 secs and is working to better it. His 4x4 relay teammate, Thapelo Ketlogetswe also ran 400m and finished it in 46,57. He won in the heats.   His next race could be on Thursday in Belgium.Makwala said the build-up to the World Championships was still on a low with most athletes fighting for qualification.The 2012 Olympian has fully recovered from the injury that kept him out of the National Championships' 200 metre race in May.