Botswana's Tshepiso Masalela declared himself ready to dominate the 800m world stage after a commanding win at the Rabat Diamond League, where he beat Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Botswana’s Tshepiso Masalela has made a bold declaration following his impressive run at the Rabat Diamond League that saw him silence Olympic champion Emmanuel Wanyonyi.
Masalela controlled the race from gun to tape and oozed experience as he crossed the finish line in a world-leading time.
He clocked an impressive 1:42.70 ahead of Great Britain’s Max Burgin and world 800m silver medallist Wanyonyi, who came home in second and third, clocking 1:43.34 and 1:43.37 respectively.
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Tshepiso Masalela has enjoyed a great season thus far, starting his season with a win in the 3000m at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix 1 before winning the 1500m at Grand Prix 2.
He proceeded to win the 1500m at the Cape Milers Club/Endurocad Middle Distance Invitational Continental Tour Challenger before finishing second in his first 800m of the season at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix.
Tshepiso Masalela began his Diamond League campaign in Doha, Qatar, where he claimed the win in a world-leading time of 1:43.11 before lowering that time in Rabat.
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Tshepiso Masalela: So, Now is My Time
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Following his victory in Rabat, Tshepiso Masalela noted that he is aiming for a gold medal at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan, later this year.
Masalela made the final of the 800m at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, but faded to a sixth-place finish. He also made the final at the Paris Olympic Games but finished seventh.
Now, he believes he has all it takes to stun the likes of Emmanuel Wanyonyi and Marco Arop as he chases global stardom and from his impressive runs so far this season, his rivals should work harder if they are to beat him.
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07:58 - 26.05.2025
Ferdinand Omanyala Vows to Improve After Another Narrow Loss to Akani Simbine in Rabat
After finishing second to Akani Simbine for the third time, Ferdinand Omanyala admitted he still needs to improve and is determined to bounce back.
He bragged about his rivals having an easy time when he was planning for an attack, and now that he is ready for the challenge, they should not rest on their laurels.
“Today, I was sure about the race. For someone to beat me, they would have to go 1:41, which I was ready to go to. I’m so happy, I did what I did,” Tshepiso Masalela said.
“That was the plan. I started the first lap well, and nobody was following me, so I decided to take the chance and follow the plan and eventually win the race.
“This year I’m going for gold…God has favoured these guys for the past years that I have been in the final. So, now is my time.”
Tshepiso Masalela has slowly risen through the ranks, and he now ranks among Botswana’s top talents in athletics, joining the likes of Letsile Tebogo and Bayapo Ndori.