Botswana delivered a historic performance at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo on Sunday, September 21, defeating defending champions the United States to claim the gold medal in the men’s 4x400m relay.
The quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi clocked a time of 2:57.76 to edge out the American team, who finished with a season’s best of 2:57.83.
Botswana entered the men’s 400m relay final having never won a medal in the event at the championships, they left Tokyo with two.
It was also a joyous occasion for fellow African contenders, as South Africa secured the bronze medal with a time of 2:57.83, matching the Americans but finishing behind on a photo finish.
The victory makes Botswana the first African nation to win the men’s 4x400m relay world title, a milestone celebrated across the continent.
In a further surprise, the relatively unknown Busang Collen Kebinatshipi produced a stunning individual performance to take gold in the 400m with a time of 43.53 seconds, the fastest in the world this year. His teammate Bayapo Ndori added to the celebrations by winning bronze in the same race.
“This is my first title and it feels crazy,” said Kebinatshipi after his win. “In the final, I had no fear. I wanted to go all out and see where I could go.”
The historic triumph not only broke new ground for Botswana but also signaled Africa’s growing strength in world athletics, particularly in sprinting events traditionally dominated by the United States.
