Mikia Kalati
Mosito Lehata’s preparations for the 2016 Olympic Games is gathering momentum with the sprinter winning the 100-metre race at the Ellwangen International Athletics Championship held in Germany last Saturday.
The 25-year-old took broke the tape ahead of Josh Swaray of Great Britain while South African Roscoe Engel was in third position.
Lehata is set to take part in another European race on Wednesday next week. The event is set for Ostrava in the Czech Republic.
“It was a fantastic start to my season in Europe and the win qualifies me to run both the 200m and 100m events at the Olympics, so I’m delighted,” Lehata told the Lesotho Times this week.
“I clocked 10minutes, 13 seconds which was very close to my previous record of 10:11, and I think I could have smashed if it wasn’t for the cold weather that was below 10 degrees.
“But I’m very happy. Remember, this is my first race in Europe this year and beginning with a win and good time is a promising start for me.”
The sprinter, who was the first Lesotho athlete to qualify for the Olympics to be held in Rio de Janeiro in August, added he needs to keep focused and winning to be in the right frame of mind to do his country proud in Brazil.
“I just have to keep winning and running as fast as I can to be in good shape for Brazil though I know it is not going to be easy, but it’s worth a try,” said Lehata.
“My only worry is it’s very cold and such weather is bad for sprinters because it makes you vulnerable to injury.
“But I just have to keep my fingers crossed and do well in Ostrava next week and give my best once again.”
Meanwhile, the Germany event was the second biggest race for Lehata this year after he claimed pole position in the 100m competition held in Mauritius last month.
Lehata is also set to compete at the 2016 African Athletics Championships set for next month in South Africa.
At the moment, Lesotho only has five athletes who have qualified for the Olympics.
The athletes are marathon runners Lebenya Nkoka and Tšepo Mathibelle, boxers Moroke Mokhotho and Inkululeko Suntele and Lehata.
