Botswana’s Isaac Makwala stormed to a World Leading (WL) time of 45.03s to win the men’s 400m at the Athletix Grand Prix Series in South Africa.
Makwala who was competing in his first race in 2018, comfortably won the race beating Thapelo Phora who was 2nd in 45.39s, and Pieter Conradie finishing 3rd with a time of 45.77s
That triumph sees Makwala take top spot from Nigeria’s Emmanuel Bamidele, who in the last two weeks had been the World leader in this event, clocking a Personal Best (PB) of 45.28s to win at the Nigerian Commonwealth Games Trials.
Makwala will now shift his focus to the Commonwealth Games taking place in Gold Coast, and would undoubtedly be the favourite to win especially as World Record holder, Wayde Van Niekerk won’t be participating.
Issac Makwala of Botswana cruises to victory in a competitive Senior Men’s 400m field in a time of 45:06. #AthletixMagicMeets pic.twitter.com/DyZ8gr1S9J
— Athletix Grand Prix Series (@AthletixGP) March 1, 2018
Meanwhile in the women’s 400m, another Botswana athlete Amantle Montsho also ran a WL, winning with a time of 50.66s. Montsho beat her compatriot Christine Botlogetswe who was 2nd in 52.07s, with Justine Palframan finishing 3rd in 52.19s.
Montsho now takes over from Nigeria’s Patience Okon George as the World Leader, with both athletes set to go head to head next month in Australia.
In the men’s 200m, Anaso Jobodwana caught up with Clarence Munyai on the home straight en route winning with a WL of 20.13s. Munyai was not afar off in 2nd with a time of 20.18s, while Luxolo Adams finished 3rd in 20.45s
