As Botswana’s men’s 4x400m relay team stepped onto the track on May 11, 2025, at the World Relays in Guangzhou, you could almost feel the weight of their nation on their shoulders. But honestly, hardly anyone was even looking at them. Expectations were rock bottom, and the air was thick with doubts. The Botswana Athletics Association had already put their hopes in the graveyard on May 5 with their announcement that read:

“We regret to inform you that three of our men’s 4×400 metres relay team members, namely Letsile Tebogo, Collen Kebinatshipi, and Bayapo Ndori, have officially withdrawn from the team for personal reasons.” The powerhouse trio of Olympic silver medalists who ran third-fastest time ever of 2:54.53 in Paris was nowhere to be seen. Without them, most people just figured Botswana would barely make a ripple. But Botswana’s HC Justice Dipeba made a promise.

“It is going to be a mountain to climb (task) and it is not going to be easy for the young boys to defend the title. The young boys will give their best to do whatever they can in order for them to qualify for the World Championships and this is the objective right now.” Still, Botswana’s new team could not defend their title. For now. However, the spectators saw a jaw-dropping turn of events of the underdog squad including Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Justice Oratile, Kabo David Rankgwe, and Leungo, Scotch despite South Africa avenging their last year’s defeat.

In Sunday’s finals, Eppie, a super versatile runner with experience in both the 400m and 200m, set the tone with a fiery lead-off leg and gave Botswana an early lead ahead of Great Britain and Nl. But by halfway, Udeme Okon’s 44.24 leg brought South Africa closer to Botswana as they maintained the second spot. But with Leendert Koekemoer maintaining almost the same speed of 44.23 for SA, they soon took the lead. On the last leg, Zakithi Nene pulled through to end 2:57.50. Behind them was Belgium’s 2024 world indoor champion Alexander Doom with a late surge finishing with 2:58.19.

For Botswana, Justice Oratile powered through the second leg, keeping that momentum alive after Eppie. Rankgwe held steady on the third leg, making sure they didn’t lose an inch of ground, before handing off to Leungo Scotch, a seasoned veteran from Botswana’s 2024 World Relays-winning team. Although they did not perform as they expected, Botswana certainly proved the critics wrong.

Botswana clocked in at the third spot, a season’s best 2:58.27 – a time that practically screamed big things were coming for the World Championships in Tokyo. The squad, initially doubted by naysayers, showed up with all its might and gave it back with their performance on track. 

The race itself was a pure masterclass in sheer grit and incredible teamwork. In the blistering run, their baton exchanges were so sharp you could practically hear the snap, reflected in their lightning-fast 0.161-second reaction time. 

Scotch anchored with the kind of fierce determination that Botswana fans have come to expect, crossing the line in a time that wasn’t far off the 2:59.11 world lead Botswana set in 2024 with their fully star-studded lineup. At this point, here are the countries that have secured their tickets to Tokyo:

• Round 1 qualifiers: South Africa (2:57.50), Belgium (2:58.19), Botswana (2:58.27), France (2:58.80), Kenya (2:59.29), Great Britain & NI (3:03.46), Portugal (3:04.52), PR of China (3:06.33).
• Round 2 qualifiers: USA (2:58.68), Australia (2:59.73), Qatar (3:00.29), Brazil (3:01.14), Netherlands (3:01.32), Jamaica (3:02.00).

But while this unexpected performance tells us how deep Botswana’s track program goes, it also begs to ask the question: How severely does the star’s absence impact the team who is making waves in the track and field world?

Letsile Tebogo’s withdrawal from the World Relays hit hard

Let’s talk about something that rattled the track world: Letsile Tebogo, Botswana’s incredible sprinting superstar and the first of his country to ever snatch an Olympic gold in any sport, sent shockwaves when he pulled out of the World Relays set for May 11, 2025, over in China. The news broke on May 5, when the Botswana Athletics Association quietly announced that Tebogo, along with his teammates Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi, had withdrawn, simply citing “personal reasons.” On May 6, Tebogo confirmed the statement on his Facebook account as well.

Tebogo, who had anchored Botswana to a stunning silver medal in the 4x400m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics and in the previous World Relay events, was a monumental loss for the team. Fans were left scratching their heads, wondering: what on earth could make such a huge star step away from a crucial event like this?  

Tebogo, Ndori, and Kebinatshipi were vital to Botswana’s Olympic success. Their withdrawal from the World Relays, which was a crucial qualifier for the World Championships in Tokyo, definitely raised some eyebrows, especially since the event at Guangdong Olympic Stadium was a golden chance to cement Botswana’s rising status in global athletics.

Despite that huge setback, the remaining squad rose to the occasion and delivered when it mattered, successfully fetching a ticket to Tokyo for Botswana. But even as fans celebrate this incredible resilience, one big question still hangs in the air: will Tebogo and his teammates manage to sort out their issues in time to lead Botswana to glory in Tokyo? We’re all hoping so!