. . . despite making C’wealth Games final
Mikia Kalati
Sprinter Mosito Lehata has spoken of his devastation after missing out on a medal in the just-ended Commonwealth Games held in Glasgow, Scotland.
The 25-year-old athlete came first and second in the qualifying rounds of the 200-metre race to reach the final of the competition.
However, the Mauritius-based sprinter was injured in the final, denying him the chance of winning Lesotho’s first Commonwealth Games medal since 2006.
Lehata was the only one in Lesotho’s 27-member team which went to the quadrennial tournament, who came close to winning a medal as he finished the race in fourth position behind three Jamaicans.
“It was really painful that I was injured in the final, which affected my performance and chances of getting a medal.
“I was in good form and very much prepared to win a medal for my country, then came that injury which really affected my performance,” Lehata said.
However, the athlete said he was excited to realise the country was proud of his performance during the Games.
“I wanted to do my country proud and that was by winning a medal, which however, could not be.”
Meanwhile, the sprinter is expected to continue with his training programme in Mauritius and is hoping to do well at the 2016 Olympic Games set for Rio de Janeiro in Brazil.
“I’m very grateful for the support and love I received from Basotho during the Games and I’m confident I will be back running soon,” said Lehata.
“There are a lot of competitions going forward and I will go back to the drawing board to make sure I do well and fly my country’s flag high.
“I am particularly looking forward to doing well at the Olympics to be held in two years’ time in Brazil.”
