Botswana produced a brilliant performance to win the men’s world 4×400 metres relay in atrocious conditions on Sunday, edging out the United States and South Africa in a blanket finish to become the first African winners of the event.
The quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi ran a time of 2:57:76 to beat the American teams’ season best of 2:57:83.
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Botswana came into the men’s 400m final, never having won a medal in the event in the championships, and they left with two.
It was also a joyous occasion for fellow African contingents, South Africa, who also ran a time of 2:57:83 but had to settle for the bronze medal.
Botswana became the first African nation to win the men’s 4x400m title on the world stage.
The largely unknown Busang Collen Kebinatshipi took gold in 43.53 sec, the fastest time in the world this year.
His teammate Bayapo Ndori added bronze.
“This is my first title, and it feels crazy,” said Kebinatshipi. “In the final, I had no fear.
“I wanted to go all out and see where I could go.