Botswana Makes History in Men’s 4x400m Relay
Botswana produced a stunning performance to win the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Championships, edging out the United States and South Africa in a thrilling finish. The Batswana quartet clocked 2:57.76, with Collen Kebinatshipi anchoring the team to victory.
Kebinatshipi’s Heroics
Kebinatshipi, the 21-year-old winner of the individual 400m title, ran a fantastic leg to snatch gold in atrocious conditions. “I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather,” he said. “I knew I had to go strong but still save my energy for the last 100m. At the last 80m, I pushed and started running faster.”
US and South Africa Fall Short
The United States, winners of nine of the last 10 world titles, took silver by a fraction of a second from South Africa, with both teams clocking 2:57.83. Rai Benjamin, the 400m hurdles champion, expressed his disappointment at not being able to bring home gold. “I wanted to bring gold for these guys,” he said. “I’m a bit disappointed I couldn’t do that today.”
Wayde van Niekerk’s Legacy
Wayde van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder, was pleased to leave South African athletics in good hands as he heads towards retirement. “These are really confident guys in our relay,” he said. “I have a lot of excitement about their careers and what’s about to come.”
Women’s Relay Results
The US resumed normal service in the women’s final, with Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchoring them to gold in 3:16.61. The Americans finished the first lap neck-and-neck with the Jamaicans but Lynna Irby-Jackson ran a blistering second leg to give her team a comfortable lead.
McLaughlin-Levrone’s Praise for Teammates
McLaughlin-Levrone praised her teammates for their outstanding performance. “When you have great teammates as I have, it’s amazing,” she said. “My last lap felt like a victory lap for us. I just wanted to finish strong because you never know who’s behind, chasing you.”
The results mark a significant milestone for Botswana and a testament to the team’s hard work and dedication. The US women’s team continues to dominate the relay events, showcasing their strength and depth.
