The biggest let down, however, was that local athletes fell short in booking their flight tickets to the much-anticipated Paris 2024 Olympics billed for July. The BAA had hoped more athletes would qualify for the prestigious competition especially women as they are yet to secure a spot in the Olympics.
Despite falling short in qualifying for the Paris 2024 Olympics, rising starlet in the track, Sethunya Majama, sailed through to book her flight under a 200m ticket to World Under-20 Championships, which are set to be held in Lima, Peru. The competition is billed for August 2024 shortly after the Paris 2024 Olympics.
In a tightly contested 200m final, Majama ran a time of 24.22 to finish first in the final. She was followed by Matswelenyane Lefa who ran 24.51 while in the third place came Kelebonye Otela at a time of 25.02. Kemorena Tisang powered to a time of 48.76 in the 400m Hurdles final to set a new National Record (NR) in a competitive final.
Though Tisang set a new NR, he fell short of securing a seat on a flight headed to Paris by 0.06 seconds as the qualification time for the Olympics is 48.70. Tisang outran the former NR holder and African silver medalist, Victor Ntweng who finished in the second position with a time of 49.00 while Frecky Tshotlego came third with a time of 49.94, which was his new personal best record. Tisang continued with his impressive display in the 110m Hurdles final as he clinched first position with a time of 13.90, which was also a new NR. He was unfortunate again as he was close but far again as the qualification time for Olympics is 13.27.
Tshotlego this time around came second with a time of 13.98 and Boago Swereki came third at a time of 14.77. On another side, the sensational sprinter, Tsaone Sebele continued to display yet another scintillating performance in the track. She went on to defend her titles and remained the champion of the national championship.
Sebele powered to a time of 23.37 in the 200m final. Sebele was followed by Lydia Jele with a time of 23.82 while Obakeng Kamberuka came in third with 24.16. The three ladies did not qualify for the Olympics as the qualifying time is 22.57 for 200m. In the 400m final, it was Jele who led the pack as she scooped first position with a time of 52.14 while Galefele Moroko came second with 53.13. Kamberuka still remained at position three by running a time of 53.61. Collen Kebinatshipi showed his competitors why he is the World Relays champion as he won the national championship in the 400m final.
The young lad powered to 45.18; Boitumelo Masilo came second with a time of 45.50 and Omphile Seribe came third at a time of 45.75.
Meanwhile, Isaac Makwala’s woes continued as he was outclassed by the youngsters. Makwala finished in position five while Anthony Pesela, yet another young promising talent powered to 20.59 to win the 200m final. Godiraone Lobatlang came second with 20.66 and world relays champion, Leungo Scotch came third with a time of 20.67. Pesela did not book his flight ticket to Paris as he fell short by 0.43 seconds.
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