29 Feb 2024

Botswana’s 800 metres runner Tshepiso ‘Machine’ Masalela will be carrying the nation’s hope, as he is the only athlete who will be competing at the World Athletics Indoor Championship Glasgow 24, which starts Friday.

His coach, Samuel Sepeng, said preparations went well, adding that as part of their preparations, they competed in the indoor series and ‘Machine’ did very well. Just recently, (February 3) Masalela dropped a convincing time, which was also a National Record of 1:45.56 at the L'Anneau-Halle d'athlétisme de Metz, in France.

“Clocking a National Record in indoor is massive, and that was his first time competing in indoor during the series,” he said. Sepeng said they want to finish the indoor on a high note, adding that he likes Masalela’s positive attitude towards competitions.

He said should the athlete proceed to the finals, then he is confident that he will win a medal for the country. “We have developed a race strategy, as to how we are going to win.

The Botswana Athletics Association (BAA) vice president Oabona Theetso expressed confidence that Masalela will perform to his level best.

He said although they do not want to put him under pressure to bring a medal home, his current ranking puts him in a better place to make it to the podium.

“’Machine’ is one athlete who is very focused, therefore if he wins a medal it will be a bonus, but we expect him to obliterate his PB.

Theetso said the athlete, who has already qualified for the 2024 Olympics, will also be using the World Athletics Indoor Championship Glasgow 24 as preparation. Furthermore, he said he is confident that the coaches will also make sure that he does not over compete before the Olympics.

“Remember we have a busy season, we have African Games, Africa Seniors and the Diamond League.

So the athlete will not be taking part in the African Games,” he said. Masalela will kick off his competition on Friday at 2:22pm CAT. If he qualifies, the following day he will compete in the semi-finals at 2:30pm. The final will be on Sunday at 11:10pm. ENDS