“A day of celebration as Botswana’s athletes bring home World Championship glory.”
Botswana made history at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo by winning the men’s 4x400m relay. This is the first time an African nation has claimed gold in this event.
The Botswana team—Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and anchor Collen Kebinatshipi—clocked a national record of 2:57.76. Kebinatshipi, who had already won gold in the individual 400m, ran a powerful final leg to secure the victory.
The race was thrilling under heavy rain, with the United States and South Africa finishing just behind at 2:57.83. The U.S., which had won nine of the last ten world titles, narrowly claimed silver by a fraction of a second over South Africa.
This historic win sparked nationwide celebrations. Botswana’s President, Duma Gideon Boko, announced a public holiday on September 29, the day before the country’s Independence Day, to honor the athletes and celebrate the nation’s first-ever World Championships relay gold.
Botswana’s achievement highlights the growing strength of African athletics on the world stage and inspires a new generation of sprinters.