Kebinatshipi remains a 400m runner - despite his explosive 100m dash recently
The World 400m Champion, Collen Kebinatshipi, was recently seen sharpening his tools in the 100m dash. This has left many people wondering whether he has aspirations to compete in the 100m. His head coach, Chilume 'Chippa' Ntshwarang, has clarified that the 100m is strictly for training for his 400m. At the BAA series in Francistown this past weekend, Kebinatshipi turned heads during his appearance in the 100m dash. Dominating the track from the blocks, he quickly opened a significant gap between himself and the rest of the field, ultimately claiming first position with ease. Beyond just securing the win, his presence on the start list served as a powerful catalyst for the local competition. Racing against a world-class champion forced the other athletes to dig deeper and push their limits, elevating the overall standard of the heat and providing the younger sprinters with a rare, firsthand benchmark of elite international speed.
Following up on his recent performances, Kebinatshipi showcased his raw speed over the weekend at the BAA series, clocking a solid 10.53s to clinch first position. This marked his second outing in the shorter sprint, serving as a high-intensity tune-up before he returns to his primary discipline. The young star is now shifting his focus back to the one-lap race, gearing up to compete in the 400m at the Twin Tower Classic Meet on March 21, organized by the Ramotswa Athletics Club. Coach Ntshwarang confirmed that their training block is heavily tailored toward this upcoming meet and the elite-level competitions following it, ensuring the world champion hits his stride just as the international season begins to heat up. Coach Ntshwarang emphasized that these shorter sprints are designed to build the explosive block start and front-end speed necessary to lower his 400m personal best even further.
'Our strategy right now is focused entirely on building Collen’s 'speed reserve.' By having him compete in these short-burst 100m dashes, we are sharpening his explosive power and front-end speed, which are critical for a world-class 400m performance. However, I want to be clear, there are no plans for him to transition into 100m competitions. As we look toward the major season fixtures, the 100m remains strictly a training tool to ensure he is at his absolute best for the one-lap sprint,' he explains.
Kebinatshipi’s current campaign remains more specialized. Many fans have drawn comparisons to athletes who successfully juggle the 100m and 200m double, but Kebinatshipi’s focus is strategically partitioned between his individual 400m dominance and his vital role in the national relay teams. Collen Kebinatshipi etched his name into the history books with a career-defining performance at the World Athletics Championships Tokyo 25. On September 18, 2025, the 21-year-old sensation claimed the gold medal in the men's 400m final, clocking a blistering national record and world-leading time of 43.53 seconds. This victory was a monumental milestone, making him Botswana's first-ever individual male world champion. Beyond his individual glory, Kebinatshipi also played a pivotal role in the national relay team, further solidifying his status as a powerhouse.