Collen Kebinatshipi Reveals Ambition to Break Wayde van Niekerk’s 400m Record

Botswana's Busang Collen Kebinatshipi has set his sights on breaking Wayde van Niekerk's 400m world record after being crowned world champion last month. 

The 21-year-old sprint sensation stunned the athletics world in Tokyo, clocking 43.53 seconds to win gold and recording the 10th-fastest time in history.

Kebinatshipi’s victory not only secured him a place among the sport’s elite but also made him the first man from Botswana to land a world title. 

South African Van Niekerk’s record of 43.03 seconds, set during his Olympic gold run at Rio 2016, has remained untouchable for nearly a decade. But Kebinatshipi remains unfazed by the challenge ahead.

"Records are meant to be broken," Kebinatshipi told Newsday on the BBC World Service. 

"If I stay focused, if I stay injury free, everything is possible. I was very, very happy about the performance. [Running] 43.5 at my age is something else."

Despite his historic achievement, Kebinatshipi admitted his performance in Japan came as a surprise. Having narrowly missed the Olympic final at Paris 2024, his initial goal had been modest.

"Honestly, my goal was to go there (Tokyo) and reach the final only because [I] missed the final at the Olympics. This was my motivation. Looking at my age, I didn't have any pressure of competing for a medal. I was just planning to start competing for a medal at the 2028 Olympics. So, things came early."

Kebinatshipi underlined his talents with a personal best – and world-leading – 43.61 seconds in the semi-finals. His compatriots Lee Bhekempilo Eppi and Bayapo Ndori also reached the 400m final, but Kebinatshipi knew the spotlight would be on him.

"Coming [in] to the final, everyone knew that I was the favourite," he said.

 "I didn't want to disappoint my coach. I didn't want to change any race plans that I used on the semis. I applied the same strategy and I knew if I do the same thing I did on the semis, I'm going to get a gold."

After sealing gold, Kebinatshipi performed push-ups inside a soggy National Stadium in tribute to compatriot Isaac Makwala, who famously used the gesture after a controversial 2017 World Championships.

"Honestly, I was really exhausted but I kept my promise to my role model Isaac," Kebinatshipi said. 

"I told him 'If I win this race, I'm going to dedicate this celebration to you' because he used to do the celebration during his time. The little energy that was left, I used it for the push-ups."

The trip to Japan became even more memorable when Kebinatshipi anchored Botswana’s victorious 4x400m relay team, which also included Eppi, Ndori, and 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.

"The team was really relying on me at that moment because I was the fastest," Kebinatshipi said.

"And after winning the flat race they trusted me so much. I went to that final with a lot of motivation, with the positive vibes."

Botswana’s relay squad has enjoyed sustained success in recent years, with gold at the World Athletics Relays last year followed by silver at Paris 2024.

 The team’s triumph in Tokyo sparked national celebrations, with a public holiday declared in Gaborone to honor the athletes.

"It’s amazing. Everyone was happy," Kebinatshipi said. 

"Now, going forward, it shows that my life is changing. I still have to focus because this was just a start of what will happen in the next 10 years, looking at my age."