Botswana’s Busang Collen Kebinatshipi delivered a sensational performance on Thursday night, clinching gold in the men’s 400m final at the World Athletics Championships on Thursday, with a world-leading time of 43.53 seconds.
The 21-year-old, competing in his first major international championship, held off Trinidad and Tobago’s Jereem Richards (43.72) and compatriot Bayapo Ndori (44.20) to secure the title and confirm his status as one of the sport’s rising stars.
Kebinatshipi had already set the pace earlier in the week, running 43.61 seconds in the semi-finals to qualify as the fastest man for the final. His victory in Tokyo is also a significant personal milestone, smashing his previous best of 44.22 seconds.
“Since this morning, I was in a meeting with my coach about this race. He knows I always doubt myself, even this whole season,” Kebinatshipi said after his win. “But he told me this is my time to shine, that I have to go and secure a spot in the final. I didn’t expect that time. We have a good team and all of them are fresh. We expect to go and get the world record.”
The men’s 400m event saw strong competition throughout the rounds. Richards and Jacory Patterson (44.19) also advanced on time from the semi-finals, while previous world leader Zakithi Nene of South Africa clocked 44.20 to make the final.
It was disappointment for Paris 2024 silver medallist Matthew Hudson-Smith, who failed to progress after finishing 18th overall with a time of 44.95. Olympic champion Quincy Hall was absent from the competition due to a hamstring injury.
With this victory, Kebinatshipi not only brings home Botswana’s first gold of the championships but also signals that he may be closing in on the world record — a feat he and his team are already eyeing.
