Team Botswana enjoyed a stellar start to the Southern African Championships (SACA) U18/U20 Championships in Mauritius, winning 11 medals on the opening day of competition, according to the Botswana Athletics Association (BAA).
The BAA reported that Botswana’s young athletes secured four gold medals, three silver medals and four bronze medals, underlining the country’s growing strength in junior athletics.
The medal haul was spearheaded by Reiniours Geza, who delivered Botswana’s first gold medal of the championships after storming to victory in the Men’s U18 400 metres in 49.11 seconds.
Botswana’s sprint contingent also made a strong statement in the U18 100m events. Bokang Isang claimed bronze in the boys’ race after clocking 10.84 seconds, while Game Onneile added another bronze in the girls’ final.
In the Men’s U20 400m, Junior Phatsima produced a personal best of 46.31 seconds to secure gold. Fellow Botswana athlete Tsaone Dintwa also ran a personal best of 48.18 seconds to claim bronze in the same event.
Jayden Mathambo added a silver medal in the Men’s U20 110m hurdles with a time of 14.75 seconds.
According to the BAA, several athletes narrowly missed out on medals but delivered commendable performances. Jack Newman finished fourth in the Men’s U20 100m in 10.51 seconds, while Lucky Chivero was sixth in 10.69 seconds. Oarabile Hines placed seventh in the Women’s U20 100m in 12.43 seconds.
The BAA also highlighted Wazha Matakule’s achievement in the Men’s U20 100m, where he secured bronze and qualified for the 2026 World Athletics U20 Championships in Oregon after clocking 10.49 seconds.
Women’s U20 sprint sensation Same Mhutsiwa continued Botswana’s golden run by winning the 100m title in 11.84 seconds.
Middle-distance runner Lebogang Mugagu contributed a silver medal in the Men’s U20 1,500m after crossing the finish line in 4:03.59.
Botswana’s relay teams also excelled. The Men’s U20 4x100m quartet of Junior Phatsima, Jack Newman, Lucky Chivero and Wazha Matakule combined to win gold in 41.66 seconds.
Meanwhile, the U20 Mixed 4x400m relay team comprising Wedu Matiwe, Tsaone Dintwa, Oarabile Hines and Warona Mokgosi earned silver in 3:40.91.
According to the BAA, several athletes narrowly missed out on medals but delivered commendable performances. Jack Newman finished fourth in the Men’s U20 100m in 10.51 seconds, while Lucky Chivero was sixth in 10.69 seconds. Oarabile Hines placed seventh in the Women’s U20 100m in 12.43 seconds.
In the field events, Tawana Tema finished fourth in the Men’s U20 long jump with a leap of 6.83 metres. Warona Mokgosi placed sixth in the Men’s U20 400m, while Wedu Matiwe finished fifth in the Women’s U20 400m.
With 11 medals already secured and several personal-best performances recorded, Botswana heads into the final day of competition with strong momentum as the young athletes seek to add to the country’s medal tally in Mauritius.
Pics Courtesy of SACA Championships 2026
