Botswana’s golden girl, Amantle Montsho, has lost her world championship title at the ongoing World Championships.
The Botswana lass was piped to the line by long time rival Christine Ohuruogu of Britain as she was denied a second world championship gold. After a strong lead to the finish line, Montsho was denied gold as Ohuruogu put her head first across the line to get in ahead of Montsho who was leading.
While Montsho would be happy with her race, she will however feel a little tad not happy with her finishing which denied her a second gold medal at the championships. Both Montsho and Ohuruogu had a photo finish to the race, prompting them to wait for the time keepers to determine who had won the race. When the times were revealed, it was team Great Britain captain Ohuruogu who smiled the biggest.
The two rivals registered a similar time of 49, 41 seconds but Ohuruogu’s finishing nicked her a medal ahead of Montsho. Racing in the fifth lane with Ohuruogu just behind her in the fourth, it was always going to be difficult for Montsho to monitor Ohuruogu’s progress in the crucial home sprint and it proved to be just the case. Despite running a good race and leading the race towards the last 200 meters, Montsho seemed to tire a bit as her rival slowly gained ground behind her.
Perhaps sensing that she could win the race ahead of the Botswana athlete, Ohuruogu sneaked her head from behind just enough to technically beat Montsho to the race she seemed likely to win.
Third behind the duo was Russian athlete Antonina Krivoshapka who clocked 49, 78 seconds.
With Montsho’s race now finished, all Batswana eyes will now turn to the Botswana men’s 4X400 meters relay which takes to the field tomorrow (Thursday) in the afternoon session at 17:05 hrs, all before another individual runner, Isaac Makwala, takes to the field during the 200 meters heats on Friday.
Another event which Batswana will perhaps watch with keen interest on Friday is the women’s 4X400 meters relay where local ladies’ relay will be making their debut at the World Championships. It is still yet to be seen whether Montsho will make the team, given she is the country’s best runner in the event.
The World Championships will come to an end this coming Sunday.
