After bringing the curtain down at the 2026 Debswana World Athletics Relays in their stomping track in Gaborone recently, Botswana sprinting great Isaac Makwala is more than confident that the men’s 4x400m relay team will eventually break the long-standing world record.
The world record is 2:54.29, set by the US team of Andrew Valmon, Quincy Watts, Butch Reynolds, and Michael Johnson at the 1993 World Athletics Championships in Stuttgart.
Botswana came very close to breaking the record when they won the 4x400m final with the third fastest time and a competition record of 2:54.47 at the National Stadium. They beat rivals South Africa (2:55.07) and Australia (2:55.20).
Makwala, who led Botswana to Olympic bronze in the men’s 4x400m relay at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021, said that the government should consider erecting a statue after the team sets a new world record.
“If you look at our performance at the World Relays, we just missed it by split seconds, so I am confident that we will break that record,” Makwala said during an exclusive interview with Sunday World.
“I can even say that before 2028 (Los Angeles Olympic Games), we’ll be the world record holders. And when we break that world record, the government must consider erecting a statue, because we only have statues of the three dikgosi (Khama III, Sebele I and Bathoen I).
They [4x400m Olympic winning team] are already on a 50 pula bank note, so a statue should be next to show the world that Botswana is a country of the 4x400m.
“The future of Botswana athletics is good, judging from the upcoming athletes, who were at the national stadium to witness the likes of Letsile Tebogo and Collen Kebinatshipi.
“I’m sure those boys and girls got motivated by what they saw, so they will want to take over the baton and put Botswana athletics to the highest level. By the 2028 and 2032 Olympics, Botswana will have a stronger team.”
The 39-year-old is busy with his Isaac Makwala Athletics Academy, where he coaches the next generation of sprinters.
- Isaac Makwala, Botswana sprinting star, recently concluded the 2026 Debswana World Athletics Relays in Gaborone.
- Makwala expressed strong confidence in Botswana’s men’s 4x400m relay team.
- He believes the team will eventually break the long-standing world record.
- The event took place on their home track in Gaborone.
- Full details of the story are available in the e-edition of Sunday World.
After bringing the curtain down at the 2026 Debswana World
Botswana came very close to breaking the record when they won the 4x400m final with the third fastest time and a competition record of 2:54.47 at the National Stadium.
Makwala, who led Botswana to Olympic bronze in the men's 4x400m relay at the Tokyo 2020 Games in 2021, said that the government should consider erecting a statue after the team sets a new world record.
“If you look at our performance at the World Relays, we just missed it by split seconds, so I am confident that we will break that record,” Makwala said during an exclusive interview with
“I can even say that before 2028 (Los
“
“I’m sure those boys and girls got motivated by what they saw, so they will want to take over the baton and put Botswana athletics to the highest level. By the 2028 and 2032 Olympics, Botswana will have a stronger team.”
