Mikia Kalati
MASERU — Lesotho star athlete, Mosito Lehata, has continued to fly the country’s flag high after he excelled at the International Athletics Association Federation (IAAF) grand prix track and field championship held in Dakar, Senegal, last week.
He clocked 20.63 seconds and 20.53 seconds respectively as he came first and second in the two races.
LAAA public relations officer, Sejanamane Maphathe, told the Sunday Express that the sprinter’s impressive performance has seen him being ranked among the top runners in the 200 metres in the world.
“He came second in the championship held in Morocco on June 9 and a few days later came first in the grand prix competition in Senegal,” Maphathe said.
“These are good times in the career of Lehata as he continues to grow with each competition,” he said.
The LAAA spokesperson said the Lesotho runner is on position five on the 200m-rankings released a few days ago.
“There are two athletes from Jamaica and two from the United States of America ahead of him in the rankings,” said Maphathe.
Lehata is so far the only athlete in the country who has qualified for the World Senior Track and Field championships set for Moscow, Russia, in August.
The sprinter recently broke his previous record during the Southern African track and field events that were held in Botswana at the beginning of this month.
“We feel he is ready to bring the country gold medals in the upcoming big events in athletics including the Olympic Games,” he said.
He said the sprinter is enjoying the form his career that only started in 2008.
“We could see the potential when he started with us in 2008 and he has kept maturing over the years,” said Maphathe.
He said the training camp in Mauritius has helped Lehata become a better athlete.
“We feel that the best is yet to come from him as he continues to shine,” he said.
Maphathe said Lehata is even ranked ahead of Justin Gatlin who recently beat Usain Bolt in the Rome Golden Gala Diamond League held in Italy
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