Botswana etched their name into athletics history on Saturday after their men’s 4x400m relay team stormed to victory at the Tokyo 2025 World Championships, clinching the nation’s first-ever gold medal in the event. The quartet delivered a flawless performance, stunning traditional powerhouses and sparking celebrations across the African nation.
The Botswana team, composed of Letsile Tebogo, Leungo Scotch, Anthony Pesela, and Bayapo Ndori, ran with precision, determination, and perfect coordination to finish ahead of strong rivals from the United States and Jamaica. Their winning time not only secured gold but also set a new African record, underlining their growing stature in global athletics.
Crowds inside the Olympic Stadium erupted as Ndori, running the anchor leg, surged past his American counterpart in the final stretch to cross the finish line first. The victory was described by commentators as one of the standout moments of the championships, symbolising the rise of Botswana as a force to be reckoned with in track and field.
Speaking after the race, an emotional Tebogo said the win was a dream come true for the team and the nation. “We knew we had the talent and the heart to compete with the best. Today we proved to the world that Botswana belongs on the big stage,” he declared, dedicating the victory to the country’s supporters.
Botswana’s triumph marked a significant breakthrough, considering the country’s relatively young track program compared to global giants like the United States. Athletics officials in Gaborone hailed the achievement as a new dawn for Botswana sports, noting that the medal would inspire a new generation of athletes to pursue excellence at the highest level.
The result also highlighted Africa’s growing presence in sprint and relay events, traditionally dominated by teams from the Americas and the Caribbean. Analysts believe Botswana’s success could shift the dynamics of future competitions, encouraging other African nations to invest more in sprinting and relay disciplines.
As celebrations erupted back home, President Mokgweetsi Masisi congratulated the team, calling their victory “a golden chapter in Botswana’s sporting history.” For a nation of just over two million people, the 4x400m relay triumph in Tokyo stands as a powerful symbol of resilience, ambition, and the limitless potential of African athletes on the world stage.
