Botswana makes history in men’s 4x400m relay

Athletics
  • 2 Weeks Ago - 2025-09-24 00:00:00
Botswana produced a brilliant performance to win the men’s world 4x400 metres relay in atrocious conditions on Sunday, edging out the United States and South Africa in a blanket finish to become the first African nation to claim the title.

As rain poured down, the United States, who had scraped into the final after beating Kenya in a run-off on Sunday morning, led at the final changeover. However, Collen Kebinatshipi, the 21-year-old winner of the individual 400m title, ran a phenomenal anchor leg to secure gold for Botswana in 2:57.76. The U.S., winners of nine of the last ten world titles, changed all four athletes for the final and took silver from South Africa by just two thousandths of a second, both teams being timed at 2:57.83. South Africa finished third.

Botswana’s team, Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, delivered a flawless performance on the drenched track, edging the U.S. in a thrilling finish and marking a historic milestone for African athletics.

President Duma Boko hailed the gold as a “historic African win,” and announced Monday, 29 September, as a public holiday to celebrate the achievement, a day ahead of the country’s Independence Day.

Botswana’s relay team expressed immense pride in their achievement. Letsile Tebogo, who ran the second leg, said,
"My goal was to make sure that I bring the stick to the guys, and then make sure that I set him up so that he can be in contention to be in front when we are in the second leg. Thanks to the team, the management, and everybody who believed in me, I just had to step up and make them proud. I\'m very happy with how I ran my leg, and excited to see the split I ran, 44.0, despite the crazy weather."

The U.S. resumed normal service in the women’s final, with individual 400m champion Sydney McLaughlin-Levrone anchoring them to gold in 3:16.61, Jamaica second, and the Netherlands third.

Botswana’s triumph not only marks a milestone in the country’s sporting history, but also highlights Africa’s growing prominence on the global athletics stage.