Botswana sent a total of 14 Athletes to compete at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics held in Japan,Tokyo from 23rd July 2021. The Games will continue through to the 8th August 2021. Team Botswana was made up of 10 Athletes from Athletics, two (2) from Boxing with Swimming and Weightlighting represented by an athlete, each. Athletics is represented by the following athletes;
EVENT
ATHLETE(S)
800M Men
Nijel Amos
400M Men
Isaac Makwala
Leungo Scotch
400M Women
Amantle Montsho
Christine Botlogetswe
Galefele Moroko
4X400M Men
Isaac Makwala
Leungo Scotch
Baboloki Thebe
Anthony Pasela
Zibani Ngozi
Bayopo Ndori
Boxing was represented by Rajab Mohammed Otukile in the Men’s Flyweight Weight 52kg category and Keamogetse Sadie Kenosi in the Women’s Feather Weight 57kg category. Magdeline Monyengwa was representing Weightlifting; 59kg while James Freeman was in the 200m and 400m freestyle of Swimming.
RESULTS UPDATES
Keamogetse Sadie Kenosi took to the ring on the 24th July 2021 against Karriss Artingestall of Great Britain competing in the Women’s Feather Weight (54-57kg) Round 32 at the Kokugikan Arena in Tokyo. Kenosi lost to Artingestall by five (5) points to nil. Rajab Otukile also lost five (5) nil on his bout against Yuberjen Martinez Rivas of Colombia in the Men’s Flyweight Round of 32. Kenosi and Otukile’s losses meant no qualification to the next rounds.
James Freeman also failed to qualify to the next round of both his events when he finished on position eight (8) with a timing of 4:03:10 in the 400m freestyle and sixth (6th) position; 1:52:87, in the 200m freestyle in Swimming.
Magdeline Monyengwa, the youngest in the 59kg group, which included Yamasaki Eyi of Australia, Darsigny T of Canada, Alemanno MG of Italy and Kusterer SB of Germany, could not advance to the next round of Weightlifting in an event which was held on the 27th July 2021. The 20 year old was able to lift 65kg on her first attempt. She could not lift 70kg on first attempt but second attempt was a good lift. Monyengwa could not lift 80kg on all the three attempts, however, she managed to register a Personal Best in the 70kg Snatch.
After a brief hiatus without any Local Athlete in Action at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, Batswana could now look forward to Nigel Amos who took to the track on 31st July 2021. The 800m Silver medalist from the 2012 Olympics took part in the men’s 800m heats at the Olympic Stadium track with a season’s best of 1:42:91. The 800m runner continued with his impressive performance as he finished on 1st position and qualified for the semifinals with a time of 1:45:04. It was a total heartbreak as Amos and Botswana’s hope for a medal was almost shuttered as the former was tripped by another athlete and were left behind in semifinals which were held on the 1st August 2021. A moment of true sportsmanship was witnessed as Nijel and Jewett helped each other up to finish the race. However, after protesting the incident in the semi-finals, Nijel Amos was granted a place in the 800m finals to be held on the 4th August 2021 at 1405hrs.
Isaac Makwala and Leungo Scotch competed in the Men's 400m Heats in the early morning of Sunday, 1st August 2021. Makwala cruised to the semi finals after he finished on position 1 in his heat with a time of 44:86 seconds. Scotch finished on position 4 in his heat but qualified for the semi finals with his time of 45:32 seconds.
Qualification rules: The first three (3) in each heat and the next six (6) fastest times in all heats advanced to the semi-finals.
On the 2nd August 2021 at 1313hrs, Leungo Scotch failed to qualify for the Finals of the Men’s 400m in his semifinal heat, placing at position 5 with a time of 45.56, this means that Leungo’s Olympic journey in the men’s 400m came to an end.
Meanwhile Isaac Makwala will have a chance to prove his mettle once again at the Men’s 400m finals. Makwala finished in position 3 in his heat and advanced to the finals with a time of 44:59. The finals will be held on the 5th August 2021 at 1400hrs at the Olympic Stadium Track.
Events to look forward to are;
- Women’s 400m heats which will be held on Tuesday, 3rd August 2021 from 0245hrs to 0326hrs, local time. Amantle Montsho, Christine Botlogetswe and Galefele Moroko are set to compete in the race.
- 800m finals featuring Nijel Amos on the 4th August 2021 at 1405hrs.
- 400m finals featuring Isaac Makwala on the 5th August 2021 at 1400hrs.
- Men’s 4X400m Relay to be held on Friday, 6th August 2021 from 1325hrs to 1340hrs.
We congratulate all our Athletes for making it to Tokyo 2020 and wish our Athletics Team the best of luck as they take to the tracks in the coming days.