Historic gold: Botswana wins men’s 4x400m relay at World Championships in Tokyo
The quartet of Lee Bhekimpilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and newly crowned 400m world champion Busang Collen Kebinatshipi ran a near-flawless race in heavy rain, clocking 2:57.76.
Botswana made history on Sunday by winning the men’s 4x400m relay at the World Championships in Tokyo, becoming the first African nation ever to claim gold in the event.
The quartet of Lee Bhekimpilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and newly crowned 400m world champion Busang Collen Kebinatshipi ran a near-flawless race in heavy rain, clocking 2:57.76.
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While the wet conditions caused baton exchange problems for many teams, Botswana’s smooth handovers proved decisive on the final day of the Championships.
Eppie gave Botswana a strong start, before Tebogo—better known for his 100m and 200m exploits—showcased his range by surging past rivals in the second lap to put the team in front at halfway. Ndori maintained the lead in the third lap, handing the baton to Kebinatshipi for the anchor leg.
With the United States and South Africa still in contention, Kebinatshipi held his composure and pulled clear in the last 100 metres to seal victory.
The USA, anchored by Rai Benjamin, took silver in 2:57.83, while South Africa claimed bronze in 2:58.83 with Wayde van Niekerk running the third leg.
Belgium, strong in the semifinals, finished fourth, followed by Qatar, Britain, Jamaica, the Netherlands and Portugal.
"I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather. I knew I had to go strong, but still I wanted to save my energy for the last 100 metres. At the last 80m I pushed and started running faster. I am really grateful to have come home with two gold medals," Kebinatshipi told Reuters after the race.
The victory sparked jubilant celebrations among Botswana’s supporters, who have watched the nation’s steady rise in the 400m over recent years.
It was also a landmark night for Tebogo, who now boasts medals across three different sprint events at these Championships.
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