25 Apr 2023

The adage that ‘when two bulls fight, it is the grass that suffers’ will come to fruition at the National Stadium on Saturday when the world’s 100m greats meet during the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix.

Botswana’s duo; Letsile Tebogo, and Thuso Masasa will take on Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala, Canadian Aaron Brown and USA’s Marvin Bracy, Kenny Bednarek, Kyree King as well as Liberian Emmanuel Matadi.

This is a line up that athletics die hards will not want to miss in action.

One can only hope that there will be no false start so that spectators can enjoy a seamless race.

Some athletics pundits are of the view that the race would be won by the athlete who will be the most mentally stable on that day.

The athletes hold different views.

Tebogo: No pressure for me, I am as cool as a cucumber.  I am just going to enjoy my race and am not aiming to drop the time even though my legs sometime misbehave and lose control.  But, this time around I will have to control them.  

I am going to use the race as preparation for the World Championships, it is a tough field, but let’s wait and see how it unfolds.

Omanyala: Honestly, I am not under any pressure. And I am happy Letsile will be running 100 metres.  I am sure it is going to be a quick race and I have seen the start list, but personally I don’t normally look at the competitors when I am going to compete, for me it is all about running fast and winning.

Masasa: I have been preparing well for the competition. My intention is to clock a good time and ultimately qualify for the World Championships.  Looking at the line up, I think we are going to drop fast times. 

Personally, I am not under pressure. I am going to learn the 100 metre ropes.

Meanwhile, Sunday Standard sport editor, Botlhale Koothopile, said many were disappointed to learn that Tebogo would not be doing 100 metres at the meet.

Therefore, the athlete’s inclusion came as great news.

“Not taking anything from the other runners, this will be the battle of Africa.  For us, it is the king of African short sprint Omanyala against the heir to the throne Tebogo,” he said.

Furthermore, Koothopile said apart from Africa’s battle, ‘the start list is rich and promises to be a very fast and competitive race.’

“If there is one athlete besides Omanyala and Tebogo whom everyone should watch, it will be Marvin Bracy.

He only returned to the track in 2020 after a three-year stint in American football.  

His current 100m personal best was set after he returned to the track and he is definitely seeking to make up for the lost time,” Koothopile said.

He said the race meant a lot for Bracy as he would want to use it as preparatory to qualify for Paris 2024 Olympics.

“As far as others go, the likes of Aaron Brown and Kenneth Bednarek will have a say in who makes the podium, therefore they should not be overlooked.  Bednarek in particular, is one athlete to look out for. 

At 24, he is still very young but he is already a World champion and Olympic silver medalist, a feat which proves his status as one of the best young track talents in the world,” he said.

Koothopile said ‘with almost all of the athletes in the start list having run sub 10s, spectators will surely be treated to a very intense and fast 100m race. For Africa, the continental record may be broken here in Botswana’. ENDS