Boxer Moroke Mokhotho and his coach Sibusiso Keketsi pose for a picture after arriving in Brazil
Mikia Kalati
THE long-awaited 2016 Summer Olympics will get underway tomorrow with the eight athletes representing Lesotho hoping to end the long wait for a first ever medal at the global sporting showcase.
The games will run from 5 to 21 August in Rio de Janeiro, Brazil and Lesotho will be represented in the sporting codes of athletics, boxing and cycling.
Mosito Lehata, Tšepang Sello, Nomakwe Nkhasi, Lebenya Nkoka and Tšepo Mathibelle will compete in athletics, Moroke Mokhotho and Inkululeko Suntele in boxing while cycling will be represented by Phethetso Monese.
Athletics: The Lesotho Athletics Amateur Association (LAAA) has the most representatives in the eight-member team Lesotho compared to the other disciplines.
Many eyes will be on star sprinter, Lehata, who wades into the games brimming with confidence after winning silver during the star-studded African Senior Championships held in Durban last month.
Lehata has also won a number of international competitions including the Ellwangen Meeting in German in May. He also clinched third position at the 55th Ostrava Golden Spike in the Czech Republic.
According to LAAA public relations officer, Sejanamane Maphathe, Lehata is in the best shape of his life and could cause an upset in the 100m and 200m races even though they were teaming with global household names.
“Lehata set a new personal best record at the African Senior Championships, and he is taking the same focus and intensity to Brazil,” Maphathe said.
“Unlike in the past two years, Lehata looks fitter mostly because he did not burn himself out by participating in a lot of competitions before a major race.”
He, however, conceded triumphing against the world’s best such as the likes of Usain Bolt, Justin Gatlin and Asafa Powell would be no mean feat.
“Lehata will have to be at the top of his game since he will be competing against some of the best in the business,” said Maphathe.
“But he has been there before, and knows what will be required of him. The time he clocked in Durban puts him among the world’s eight best runners in the 100m race. If he were to replicate that time, it would give him the chance to run in the final like he did two years ago at the Commonwealth Games.”
He was also upbeat over half marathon runner Nkhasi’s prospects to make waves at the Olympics despite being a rookie.
The Rio Games would be the 10 000m runner’s first ever international competition. Nkhasi showcased his mettle by winning bronze in the African Senior Championships where he represented the Mountain Kingdom for the first time.
The LAAA publicist said Nkhasi’s advantages were that age was still on his side at 23 years, and he was not afraid of competition since he outperformed more experienced athletes at the continental competition held in the coastal city.
“Nkhasi might be new to the international stage, but he is a fearless and confident young man who proved his abilities by winning a bronze medal ahead of Kenyans and Ethiopians in Durban,” Maphathe said.
“If Nkhasi plays to his strengths even though he is an underdog, there is a good chance he will prevail.”
Turning to the marathon duo of Mathibelle and Nkoka, he said they had made adequate preparations.
“Mathibelle was in camp in Kenya ahead of the Olympics, and also did very well in South Korea in June. So, I am very confident the duo will perform better than the previous years,” Maphathe said.
“As for Sello, the Olympics will give her good exposure as she is the youngest in the team at 18 years. The Olympics will also prepare her for the future.”
Boxing: Mokhotho and Suntele were the first athletes from Lesotho to arrive in the South American country on 30 July, following their one-month training camp in Cuba.
Weighing 56kg, Suntele secured qualification for the Olympics during the African qualifiers held in Cameroon in March in which he also won a silver medal.
According to Lesotho Amateur Boxing Association (LABA) president, Takatso Ramakhula, Suntele is a very talented boxer who can be unstoppable when in his element.
“There is no doubt about his talent. I think he is in the best shape of his career and has been working hard with his coach,” Ramakhula said.
“I think how far they will go at the Olympics will be determined by who they would be drawn against. What I can guarantee you is if they end up losing, they will lose to boxers who will win medals.”
The 52kg Mokhotho qualified for Rio through a portfolio placement selection after a South African boxer pulled out of the showcase.
Mokhotho is a two-time bronze medalist from the 2011 and 2015 All Africa Games.
“He is a boxer who thrives on hard work and has also gained experience competing in different competitions over the years,” said Ramakhula.
“He was very unlucky during the Olympic qualifiers in Cameroon last year after getting injured and having to fight the best in his division. He is a top boxer who always fights to win.
“I think the training camp in Cuba helped them a great deal and prepared them for the games.”
Cycling: Monese will go into the Olympics buoyed by his solid performances during the Mountain Bike World Championships and Transalp race held in Switzerland earlier this month.
The 31-year old cyclist was a late addition to team Lesotho after qualifying through a third-place finish during the 2016 African Continental MTB Championships held in April.
Monese told the Lesotho Times’ sister paper, Sunday Express he was raring to give his best in Brazil.
“I am fit enough to go and compete in Brazil, I have got all the training and exposure I needed, what is left is for the games to begin,” he said.
“I know it will not be easy and the competition will be stiff, but I will give my all.”
