Africa has traditionally dominated middle-distance races but this could change in this year's edition with the emergence of sprint talent including Letsile Tebogo. Ferdinand Omanyala from Kenya, the 100m African champion, and the on-form Akani Simbine of South Africa join Tebogo.
But the continent has suffered a blow after Nigerian speedster, Godson Brume withdrew from the competition due to an injury. Local fans will focus most of their attention on Tebogo who is playing his cards close to his chest. Brume's withdrawal brightens Tebogo's medal chances. While Tebogo has remained grounded, in the back of his mind, the 20-year-old knows that the nation is banking on him for a podium finish. Tebogo will take to the starter block tomorrow at 7pm for the men’s 100m heats.
The men’s 100m semi-final is set for the following day at 4:35pm, followed by the final at 7:10pm. This season, Tebogo has registered 9.93s in 100m and 19.50s in 200m. Tebogo’s coach, Kebonyemodisa Dose Mosimanyane told Mmegi Sport that the plan is to reach the semi-finals. “I told him to do his best and get into the semi-finals.
We just want to see how things will go,” he said. Mosimanyane said it would be the first time Tebogo will be doubling in the senior athletics championships and that has built excitement for the athlete. He said the target at the championships is to improve on last year's performance in the 100m at the Oregon World Athletics Championships. “In the last edition of this competition, he went up to the semi-finals. It will be nice to make the final this time around. In the 200m, I just want to see how far he can go.
It is the first time he does 200m in a major championship as a senior. The pressure is there but not too much,” he said. Mosimanyane said preparations for a championship are never enough. “But we agreed that we should take whatever we managed to do into the championship and use it to the best of our ability,” he said. National team coach, Chilume Ntshwarang said Team Botswana is ready for the competition. He said all athletes know what to expect and what they should do.
“We arrived in Budapest on different days because some of us came from Botswana and others were already in Europe. Everyone is here, yesterday (Wednesday) athletes went through the final routine including massage. The youngest team member, Collen Kebinatshipi, 19, said he was excited to be making his World Athletics Championships debut.
“I am happy that I made the team not only because I have my own individual race but because I will also be assisting the relay team. I am here to gain experience and enjoy my race,” he said. Kebinatshipi said his target is to do sub-45 which will ensure he books his ticket to Paris 2024. He said if that does not happen, he still has other championships to qualify since he has other races after the World Athletics Championships. For his part, 400m specialist, Bayapo Ndori said he has prepared enough for the competition and is ready for the battle. He said he plans to reach the final. Bayapo, Kebinatshipi and Leungo Scotch will take part in the men’s 400m heats on Sunday at 10:25am. On day four of the competition, Tshepiso Masalela will be in the men’s 800m heats at 7:20pm.
“We arrived in Budapest on different days because some of us came from Botswana and others were already in Europe. Everyone is here, yesterday (Wednesday) athletes went through the final routine including massage.
The youngest team member, Collen Kebinatshipi, 19, said he was excited to be making his World Athletics Championships debut. “I am happy that I made the team not only because I have my own individual race but because I will also be assisting the relay team. I am here to gain experience and enjoy my race,” he said. Kebinatshipi said his target is to do sub-45 which will ensure he books his ticket to Paris 2024. He said if that does not happen, he still has other championships to qualify since he has other races after the World Athletics Championships.
For his part, 400m specialist, Bayapo Ndori said he has prepared enough for the competition and is ready for the battle. He said he plans to reach the final. Bayapo, Kebinatshipi and Leungo Scotch will take part in the men’s 400m heats on Sunday at 10:25am.
On day four of the competition, Tshepiso Masalela will be in the men’s 800m heats at 7:20pm.
