22 Jun 2023

As the World Championship qualifying closing date is approaching, athletes are running helter skelter to hit the qualifying mark before July 30.

One athlete who does not want to miss the Budapest World Championships, to be held in August, is 400 metres hurdler Kemorena Tisang.

Tisang finished in position two in his Diamond League debut in Doha in May, where he clocked 50.92.

He said in an interview that although he wanted to qualify there were not enough races that would help him to hit the qualifying standard.

“For now I don’t have invitations from Diamond League meetings, so it is going to be a little challenging for me,” he said.

He, however, said his hope was on the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) competition that would be held at Francistown’s Obed Itani Chilume Stadium on Saturday.

“My intention is to run faster on Saturday. 

I have been preparing. 

The whole idea is to hit the qualifying mark. 

I am aiming for sub 49,” he said.

Tisang said he was confident that he would qualify, given that in his last race he missed the mark with a whisker, adding that more races would help him to qualify and prepare for the World Championships.

“The 400 metres qualifying standard is 48.70, and the last race I clocked 49.30, so I just have to focus on the race day and deliver,” he said.

He said again there were lot of races outside the country he is pinning hope on a good Samaritan or BAA to help him attend those races.

The BAA vice president, Oabona Theetso said Tisang was committed and focused.

Funds permitting, he added, they could send him outside to try and qualify.

So far, only three athletes have qualified for the World Championships.

They are Letsile Tebogo, who has qualified for 100 and 200 metres, Leungo Scotch, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi who qualified for the 400 metres, while the 4x400 mixed relay is currently in the qualifying bracket and 4x400 men’s relay has qualified. Ends