Sello Motseta
16th May 2021
Isaac Makwala aka Batman stormed into the Tokyo Olympics with strong performances in the 200m and 400m at the National Stadium in Gaborone over the weekend. Makwala qualified during the semi finals for the 400m on Saturday electing to sit out the finals and successfully pursue qualification in the 200m where he ran 20.17 seconds within the 20:24 seconds qualifying time in the event final Sunday.
“I am happy to qualify for the Olympics for both the 200m and 400m,” said an elated Makwala. He said his coach believed he could do it and if ‘he believes he also believes.’
Fellow Olympic hopeful Nigel Amos has also already qualified for his favoured 800m event. With another hopeful Leungo Scotch expressing confidence that there was still hope for qualifiers almost two months before the showpiece event is expected to be kick started.
“I have 2 more races. I am hopeful i will make Olympics. Both races will be in South Africa,” said Scotch.
A strong performance was also registered by rising star Anthony Pesela, who ran 46.10 seconds in the 400m in the Junior event. Pesela believes that he can still run faster and is confident he will make cut.
“I am still doing endurance training. So i think when i do speed training i will run faster,” said Pesela.
Another developing story over the weekend is the raw talent of the emerging youthful sprinter Letsile Tebogo, who complains that he is resource constrained and struggles to pay for basic necessities like combi fare to go for regular training and shoes for track event.
He however remains confident that he can still qualify for the Tokyo Olympics Men’s competition.
“I am hoping that for the next races I will be able to qualify on a Mondo track. A hard surface athletics track is more difficult to compete on,” said Tebogo.
He said, “We are treated like normal people. “
Tebogo complained that in Maun athletes cannot train because the stadium is closed. Existing COVID-19 restrictions also make preparations a little more tedious with increased outdoor training stymied.
