It was an emotional moment for Botswana’s Isaac Makwala who finally won a long-sought-after global individual title in his event – the men’s 400m, at the 2018 Commonwealth Games in Gold Coast, Australia, on Tuesday.
The former African Champion left nothing to chance in the race and proved too strong for his rivals as he powered down the home straight in 44.35s, and went on to do his trademark push-ups after it dawned on him that he had indeed won the title.
It was double celebration for Botswana as reigning African Champion and teammate, Baboloki Thebe, snuck up from behind to cross the finishing line in 2nd in 45.09s.
Jamaica’s Javon Francis who was one of three Jamaicans in the final, settled for the Bronze medal in a Season’s Best (SB) of 45.11s, with India’s Muhammed Anas Yahiya setting a National Record (NR) of 45.31s in 4th place.
