Ofure Akhigbe
Botswana’s Collen Kebinatshipi etched his name into athletics history on Friday, becoming the first male athlete from his country to win a world title at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The 21-year-old stormed to victory in the men’s 400 metres final with a national record of 43.53 seconds. He edged out Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards, who also clocked a national record of 43.72 seconds to take silver.
Botswana completed a memorable night with Bayapo Ndori, 24, securing bronze in 44.20 seconds. Jamaica’s veteran sprinter Rusheen McDonald, 33, faded in the closing stages to finish fourth in 44.28 seconds.
“This is my first title, and it feels crazy,” Kebinatshipi said after the race. “I’m proud of our progress as a nation and as a continent.”
The final featured fresh faces, with none of last year’s champions in the lineup, opening the door for emerging talents. For Botswana, the double podium finish underscored its growing influence on the global athletics stage.