World 400m Champion Kebinatshipi Targets Diamond League Glory in Brussels

Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, Botswana’s 22-year-old world champion, is set to compete in the Brussels Diamond League final with his sights firmly on the coveted trophy.

After an unbeaten run in five Diamond League races this season, the 400m specialist is determined to cap his remarkable journey with victory on Friday night.

Kebinatshipi’s path to athletics began unexpectedly. Once a promising football player, he was spotted by a coach during a match and persuaded to switch to track and field.

‘As a child, I did a lot of sports: volleyball, football… When I was 17, I was noticed by an athletics trainer, who is still my coach today. He convinced me to start athletics,’ Kebinatshipi said at the pre-race press conference.

The decision has already brought historic success. Last year, he won a world title in Tokyo and helped secure Botswana’s 4×400 meters relay crown alongside teammates Bayapo Ndori and Lee Eppie.

His achievements, coupled with compatriot Letsile Tebogo’s Olympic triumph, have ignited national pride.

‘Not bad for a country with only 2.5 million inhabitants,’ Kebinatshipi remarked, highlighting how young athletes now look up to their accomplishments.

Despite his rapid rise, Kebinatshipi remains grounded. With a personal best of 43.44 seconds, he acknowledges Wayde van Niekerk’s world record of 43.03 as a benchmark but insists his focus is on consistency.

‘I want to win that Diamond League trophy here in Brussels on Friday. And I always hope to run faster than I ever did. But above all, I want to be consistent in my performance and not rush,’ he said.

Kebinatshipi also draws inspiration from van Niekerk, with whom he maintains regular contact.

‘Wayde is my great example, by the way. We regularly send messages to each other. He motivates me and is a great source of inspiration,’ he added.