By Mikia Kalati
MASERU — The Lesotho Amateur Athletics Association says it is confident that star athlete, Mosito Lehata, will end his medal drought when he takes part in the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) World Championships that kick begins in Moscow, Russia, on Saturday.
The Lesotho delegation left the country on Tuesday for the 14th edition of the championships.
The games end on August 18.
Lehata, who has been in fine form this year, will lead Lesotho’s three athletes who include Jobo Khatooane as well as Tsepo Ramonene.
LAAA spokesperson, Maphathe Sejanamane told the Lesotho Times that Lehata who has been based in Mauritius will team up with the other athletes in Russia.
“He has been enjoying the form of his life and we feel this is the competition that we will see the best of him,” Maphathe said.
The sprinter’s impressive performance has seen him being ranked among the top runners in the 200 metres in the world.
Lehata’s stunning performance at the IAAF grand prix track and field championships held in Dakar two months saw him set a new personal record and also come first in the competition.
The sprinter first broke his previous record during the Southern African track and field events that were held in Botswana in May.
“All in all we feel that our team is in good shape to do the country proud in Russia.
He told this paper Ramanene and Khatooane are also in high spirits and have vowed to shine in the championship.
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The trio were at the London Olympic Games where Khatooane failed to participate due to injury.
“The three athletes are injury free and in good condition and I do not think they will have stage freight because they were all at the Olympic Games last year,” said Maphathe.
Maphathe said Khatooane and Ramonene qualified for this 2013 IAAF Moscow Championships by virtue of previous times they clocked at the Gaborone marathon in January last year while Lehata qualified with an ‘A’ standard.
“Unfortunately due to financial constraints we could not take the two locally-based athletes in camp, but we believe that they will give it their best shot at the World Championships,” he said.