Leemisa Thuseho
…as Mofolo’s Olympics dream comes sooner than expected
WHEN he started competing in school athletics competitions on the dusty grounds of Joel Primary School in 2018, few could have imagined that, in less than a decade, Kamohelo Mofolo would be on the verge of joining the world’s greatest athletes at the Olympic Games.
The 21-year-old is now looking forward to achieving Olympian status after securing qualification for the 2028 Los Angeles Olympic Games.
Mofolo booked his ticket to Los Angeles after finishing third in the 2026 New York City Marathon in the United States over the weekend, clocking a personal best of a time of 2:06:26.
The Olympic qualifying standard for the men’s marathon yet to be finalised but it is expected to be the same as of the 2027 World Championships which is 2:06:00. But finishing among the top five at a World Marathon Major, such as the New York City Marathon, also earns an athlete qualification.
Born in Methinyeng, Matelile, in the district of Mafeteng, Mofolo’s running journey began at Joel Primary School in Ha Lesoma, Mafeteng.
Like many young boys in Lesotho, Mofolo also had an interest in football, playing as a goalkeeper. However, his first athletics coach, Matlatsi Rankapuloke, recognised his potential and encouraged him to shift his focus to athletics.
Mofolo began to realise his talent and take the sport more seriously after winning gold in the 1,500m at the Confederation of Schools Sports Associations of Southern Africa (COSSASA) Games in Botswana.
Speaking to the Lesotho Times this week, the rising star said his family had played a crucial role in supporting his career.
“I started running at primary school level under coach Motlatsi Rankapuloke,” Mofolo said.
“As my career became more serious and I started competing in international competitions, I joined Lemohang Mandoro’s training group. I have since joined McKirdy Trained in the USA.”
Having started out in track events such as the 1,500m, 5,000m and 5km, Mofolo gradually progressed to longer distances, including the 10km and half-marathon (21.1km). This year, he made his debut in the full marathon (42.2km).
“Yes, I had competed in youth events such as the COSSASA Games in Botswana, but, to be honest, I only started competing seriously and consistently in 2023.
“My first victory came in a 10km race in Clarens, South Africa. Since then, I have never looked back.
“My family has been an important pillar in my career. I think winning gold in Botswana at the COSSASA Games was a huge motivation for my parents to continue supporting me,” he said.
Mofolo revealed that competing at the Olympic Games had always been his dream, although he never imagined achieving qualification so early in his career.
“Qualifying for the Olympic Games has always been my dream, but, to be honest, I never thought I would achieve it through the New York Marathon because it is a very difficult race.
“It is not easy to meet the Olympic qualifying standard at this race. I therefore managed to qualify through my finishing position, having finished third,” he said.
Despite being delighted with the achievement, Mofolo admitted that the reality of qualifying for the Olympics had not fully sunk in.
“I am surprised that my dream of qualifying for the Olympic Games has come true so soon, but I am happy,” he said.
Nevertheless, he is not resting on his laurels. The young athlete said he still intends to achieve the official marathon qualifying time of 2:06:00, although securing qualification through his New York performance has eased the pressure.
“Despite having qualified, I will still chase the entry standard. However, I will no longer be under as much pressure, and I hope to achieve it before the Olympics,” he said.
Reflecting on his New York Marathon experience, Mofolo admitted that he was somewhat nervous, as it was only his second full marathon.
His first was the Sanlam Cape Town Marathon in May this year, where he produced an impressive performance to finish 11th in 2:08:50.
The New York race, therefore, marked his first appearance at a major marathon outside Africa.
“I was a bit nervous, but my coach told me to remain calm and assured me that I had the potential to produce an impressive performance based on our preparations.
“Good preparation and determination are what helped me deliver this performance,” he said.
Despite his relatively short time in elite athletics, Mofolo has already accumulated an impressive list of achievements.
Among them is representing Lesotho at the Commonwealth Games in Glasgow, Scotland, earlier this year.
He is also the national record holder in the men’s 10km road race, with a time of 27:47, recorded at the ABSA Run Your City Durban race in South Africa in July last year.
Additionally, he is the leading Basotho athlete in the men’s 10,000m, having clocked 28:01.00 at the Glasgow Commonwealth Games.
Mofolo paid tribute to his current and former coaches, teachers, fellow local athletes and the Basotho nation for the support they have given him throughout his journey.
He also had a message for young aspiring athletes, urging them to take sport seriously and recognise its potential as a career.
He said sport could provide a sustainable livelihood, but success required discipline, commitment and hard work.
Mofolo is also among the athletes benefiting from the Olympic Solidarity (OS) Athlete Scholarship Programme, which provides financial and other support to athletes preparing for the Olympic Games.
From the dusty grounds of Joel Primary School in Mafeteng to the global stage of the Olympic Games, Mofolo’s remarkable journey is a testament to talent, determination, discipline and the power of support.
