Running News Daily

Busang Collen Kebinatshipi has delivered another sensational performance, storming to victory in the men’s 400m at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest.

The reigning world champion stopped the clock at an astonishing 43.39 seconds, smashing his own Botswana national record and moving to fifth on the world all-time list.

Kebinatshipi produced a commanding finish to pull away from his rivals and secure the Ultimate Championship title. American star Rai Benjamin finished second in 44.15, while Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago completed the podium in 44.23.

 Men’s 400m

1. Busang Collen Kebinatshipi — 43.39 NR

2. Rai Benjamin — 44.15

3. Jereem Richards — 44.23

The performance is even more remarkable considering that Kebinatshipi had already rewritten the Botswana record just one week ago in Brussels, where he ran 43.40. In Budapest, he lowered that mark by another 0.01 seconds to establish a new national record of 43.39.

That improvement has also propelled the 22-year-old into rare territory. His latest time now ranks him fifth fastest in history over 400m, placing him among an extraordinary group of athletes who have broken the 43.40 barrier.

Kebinatshipi's victory also caps an extraordinary season for the Botswana star. After establishing himself as a global champion, he has continued to demonstrate that he belongs among the very best one-lap runners in the world.

And there is a major reward for his historic night in Budapest: Kebinatshipi walks away as the Ultimate Champion and $150,000 richer.

From another national record to a place among the five fastest 400m runners ever, Kebinatshipi has turned an already remarkable season into something truly special.

Botswana has its latest sprinting superstar — and Kebinatshipi is showing that his ceiling may be even higher than anyone imagined. 

The roar inside the National Stadium reached a fever pitch as Collen Kebinatshipi powered down the final stretch, sealing a breathtaking men’s 4x400m victory for Botswana on home soil. In a moment charged with national pride and raw athletic brilliance, the world 400m champion delivered a masterclass anchor leg that ignited celebrations across the stands.

This was no ordinary win—it was a performance etched into the sport’s history. Botswana’s quartet of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori, and Kebinatshipi combined precision, speed, and composure to clock a stunning 2:54.47. The mark not only shattered the championships record but also stands as the third-fastest time ever recorded in the history of the event.

From the opening leg, Botswana signaled intent. Eppie launched the team into contention with controlled aggression, handing over to Tebogo, whose fluid stride and composure kept the momentum alive. Ndori, running the critical third leg, absorbed pressure from chasing rivals and ensured the team remained firmly in control heading into the final exchange.

Then came Kebinatshipi.

With the baton in hand and the weight of expectation on his shoulders, he surged forward with authority. His form was fierce, his cadence relentless. As he drove down the home straight, the gap widened, and with every stride, the certainty of victory grew. By the time he crossed the line, the stadium had already erupted—an entire nation rising to salute a performance of rare magnitude.

Beyond the time and the record, this victory carried deeper meaning. It was a statement of Botswana’s growing dominance in sprinting, a showcase of teamwork forged through discipline and belief, and a reminder of how powerful sport can be when it unfolds in front of a home crowd.

On a day where speed met history, Botswana didn’t just win—they announced themselves among the all-time great relay nations.

In a breathtaking display of raw speed and versatility, Collen Kebinatshipi stunned the athletics world by clocking a remarkable 9.91 seconds in the men’s 100m semifinals at the Botswana Athletics Championships in Gaborone.

Known globally as a world-class 400m specialist, Kebinatshipi’s explosive run over the shorter distance marked a defining moment in his career. This was not just a fast time—it was a historic breakthrough. With that performance, he became only the second athlete from Botswana to dip under the coveted 10-second barrier, following in the footsteps of sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo.

Even more impressively, Kebinatshipi now stands as the first man in 2026 to break the 10-second mark, setting an early benchmark for the global sprint season. Achieving such a feat in the semifinals only amplified the sense that something extraordinary was unfolding on home soil.

The race itself was a masterclass in controlled aggression. Kebinatshipi combined a composed start with a powerful drive phase before unleashing a devastating top-end speed that separated him from the field. His mechanics were sharp, his rhythm fluid—qualities rarely seen from athletes stepping outside their primary discipline.

This performance does more than rewrite personal bests; it reshapes perceptions. For an athlete already established as a 400m world champion, producing such elite speed over 100m signals a rare blend of endurance and acceleration. It opens the door to new tactical possibilities and raises the question of whether Botswana may soon witness a dual-threat sprint star at the highest level.

Beyond individual achievement, the moment carries national significance. Botswana’s sprinting legacy continues to rise, and Kebinatshipi’s run adds another powerful chapter to that story—one defined by ambition, progression, and global relevance.

As the championships continue, all eyes will remain fixed on Kebinatshipi. But regardless of what follows, his 9.91-second sprint has already secured its place in history—a performance that did not just win a race, but redefined potential.