Botswana on Sunday made a bold statement at the World Athletics Championship in Tokyo by beating defending champions USA to the gold medal.
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 — 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 43.53sec, 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.
