Letsile Tebogo Explains Reason Behind Struggle on Second Leg of Botswana’s Triumphant 4x400m Relay

Olympics 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has opened up about his not so impressive run for Botswana in the final of the 4x400m relay at the 2026 World Relays in Gaborone on Sunday.

Tebogo was on the second leg for Team Botswana, who went on to win gold, but he ran out of gas in the final stretch before the rest did the job to win gold for the host nation.

Lee Eppie gave Botswana a strong start with a 44.26-second opening leg before passing the baton to Tebogo who powered down the backstretch, but despite a blistering 43.50 split, he was overtaken by South Africa’s Lythe Pillay, who clocked a sensational 42.66—the fastest 4x400m split ever recorded.

On the third leg, Botswana's Bayapo Ndori pursued South African teenager Leendert Koekemoer, with Australia's Thomas Reynolds closing in on the leading pair. As the final exchange approached, the three teams were virtually inseparable.

Fortunately for Botswana, they had world champion Collen Kebinatshipi as their anchor. He drew level with South Africa’s Zakithi Nene and Australia’s Aidan Murphy with 200 metres remaining. The trio ran shoulder-to-shoulder before Kebinatshipi surged ahead on the home straight, spurred on by the deafening roar of the crowd and won it.

Reflecting on his race, Tebogo says he went into the final not at his optimum but believes he left everything on the track even if it did not end with victory on his leg.

“They knew I am not in that great shape,” Tebogo told the media after the race. “I needed at least another 400m to open up the lungs for myself so that when I go into the final [I am good] but I believe I did my best for the final. They wouldn’t blame me as much, I have given them the best on the second leg,” he added.

The 22-year-old later rued their inability to break the world record at home, keeping faith that it will not be long before they do it.

“Even though the championship record was not part of our plans, the main plan was to break that world record which I believe we attempted,” Tebogo further stated.

“It is going to be so much trial and error until we reach that. Everyone here is not at their peak, I am not at my peak yet we decided to push and get everything out of ourselves.”