History was made in Tokyo on 18 September 2025 when Busang Collen Kebinatshipi stormed to victory in the men’s 400 metres at the World Athletics Championships, becoming the first man from Botswana to win a world title.
The 21-year-old blazed down the track in 43.53 seconds, setting a new Botswana national record and the world’s fastest time this year. Just behind him, Jereem Richards of Trinidad & Tobago claimed silver in 43.72 seconds, a national record of his own.
But Botswana’s celebration wasn’t finished. In a dramatic final surge, Bayapo Ndori powered across the line in 44.20 seconds to secure bronze—his season’s best—giving the nation two medals in under a minute.
For Kebinatshipi, the gold is a career-defining breakthrough, marking him as one of the sport’s rising global stars. For Ndori, the bronze confirms his consistency at the highest level, adding individual success to his earlier relay achievements.
This double podium signals a new era for Botswana athletics. From Isaac Makwala paving the way to today’s golden generation, the country’s sprinters are now world champions and medalists, carrying Botswana’s flag into the heart of global track and field.
With the 4×400m relay still to come, and both Kebinatshipi and Ndori in peak form, Botswana may yet add to its medal haul in Tokyo.
Sources: Reuters, World Athletics
