Botswana delivered a stunning performance on Sunday at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, defeating defending champions the USA to claim gold.
The quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi clocked 2:57.76, surpassing the Americans’ season-best time of 2:57.83.
Botswana entered the men’s 400m final without ever having won a medal in the event, but they left with two.
South Africa also celebrated, finishing in 2:57.83 to secure the bronze medal.
With this victory, Botswana became the first African nation to win the men’s 4x400m title on the global stage.
The relatively unknown Busang Collen Kebinatshipi captured individual gold in 43.53 seconds, the fastest time in the world this year. His teammate, Bayapo Ndori, added bronze.
“This is my first title and it feels unreal,” said Kebinatshipi. “In the final, I had no fear. I wanted to give everything and see how far I could go.”