Botswana’s chances of securing three spots in the men’s 400m final remain strong as Bayapo Ndori, Lee Eppie, and Collen Kebinatshipi prepare for their semifinal races this afternoon at the World Athletics Championships. The athletes have shown consistent performance in the heats, positioning themselves for a potential podium finish.
Lee Eppie competes in Semifinal 1 at 14:35, having qualified as the runner-up in Heat 6. He will face a competitive lineup including Ammar Ismail Yahia Ibrahim of Qatar, Samuel Reardon of Great Britain, Attila Molnár of Hungary, Christopher Bailey of the USA, Zakithi Nene of South Africa, Reece Holder of Australia, and Bovel McPherson of Jamaica.
Collen Kebinatshipi runs in Semifinal 2 at 14:43, advancing as a non-automatic qualifier. His competitors include Rok Ferlan of Slovenia, Charles Dobson of Great Britain, Jacory Patterson of the USA, Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago, Rusheen McDonald of Jamaica, Lythe Pillay of South Africa, and Edoardo Scotti of Italy.
Bayapo Ndori takes part in Semifinal 3 at 14:51 after winning Heat 2. He will compete against Matthew Hudson-Smith of Great Britain, Delano Kennedy of Jamaica, Kirani James of Grenada, Khaleb McRae of the USA, Yuki Joseph Nakajima of Japan, Vernon Norwood of the USA, and Muzala Samukonga of Zambia.
Botswana has a strong tradition in the 400m, and today’s semifinals provide a critical opportunity for the nation to extend its legacy on the global stage. Success in these races would not only secure a rare three-athlete representation in the final but also enhance Botswana’s reputation in international sprint events.
