A Rain-Soaked Victory for the Ages

Botswana’s quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi stunned the athletics world by dethroning the 10-time champion United States in a dramatic rain-soaked final at the Tokyo World Athletics Championships. South Africa claimed bronze, cementing Africa’s dominance in the event.

Presidential Praise and National Pride

President Duma Boko, addressing the nation from the UN General Assembly in New York, declared September 29 a public holiday, stating: "Our athletes are Botswana’s true diamonds – unbreakable, brilliant, and forever shining on the global stage." The holiday precedes Botswana’s Independence Day, creating a two-day celebration of national identity.

Medal Table Breakthrough

Botswana’s historic performance propelled them to 5th place in the championship standings with:

• 2 gold medals
• 1 silver
• 1 bronze

This marks their best-ever World Championships result, surpassing traditional African powerhouses like Ethiopia and Nigeria.

From Olympic First to World Domination

Letsile Tebogo, the team’s anchor, continues rewriting African athletics history:

• 2023 Paris Olympics: First African gold in men’s 200m
• 2024 World Championships: 4x400m relay triumph

Over 50,000 fans packed Gaborone’s National Stadium last year to welcome Tebogo’s Olympic victory, foreshadowing this year’s nationwide celebrations.

Diamonds vs. Athletic Legacy

President Boko’s comparison of athletes to Botswana’s famed diamonds reflects a strategic shift:

The government has pledged $15 million in new training facilities, signaling increased investment in sports development.