Botswana StormsInto Relay Finals

The men’s team cruised into the final after winning their heat comfortably in a time of 3:03:09. In the third heat, the local boys faced rather tough competition from the Jamaicans and the Brazilians. However it turned to be more of a straightforward affair, with Botswana taking command from the outset and never relinquishing the lead. They were led off by Isaac Makwala, who handed over to Karabo Sibanda, leaving them in front of Jamaica at the halfway point. That lead was consolidated by Onkabetse Nkobolo on the third leg, with young star Baboloki Thebe bringing them home to victory in 3:03.09. Jamaica was a close second in 3:03.52, with Brazil coming home third in 3:05.05, enough to see them through as non-automatic qualifiers. 

“I think fighting for a medal is definitely possible. In Rio we were fifth and we didn’t have everybody in the team. Now we are coming to full force so we can do it,” Sibanda told the IAAF official website.