Botswana declares public holiday after 'historic' World Athletics Championships 2025 4x400m relay gold medal in Tokyo
Updated 22/09/2025 at 16:21 GMT+1
It was a World Athletics Championships to remember for Botswana, who won the men's 4x400m metres for the first time in dramatic style, pipping USA to gold in torrential Tokyo rain. And the nation's government have quickly marked the occasion by declaring a public holiday. Botswana also enjoyed unprecedented success at the Paris Olympic Games last year, as Letsile Tebogo won gold in the men's 200m.
WATCH: Wild finish as Botswana STUN United States in 4x400m relay
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Botswana has declared a public holiday to mark the country's historic gold medal at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo.
The team of Lee Bhekempilo Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Busang Collen Kebinatshipi beat the USA to gold in the men's 4x400 metres on Sunday.
It meant Botswana became the first African nation to win the event, and president Duma Boko labelled it a "historic win".
He confirmed that the country will celebrate a national holiday on Monday, September 29, the day before independence day.
"A quick moment to congratulate our boys on their historic gold medal victory… feeling so proud here in New York, where I’ll be attending the United Nations 80th General Assembly meetings," the president said.
"I'll be sure to tell everyone, Botswana's natural diamonds are not just in the ground, they are our world champion athletes."
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Hodgkinson and Hunter Bell pipped late by Odira in 800m final
Video credit: TNT Sports
Botswana won two golds, one silver and a bronze medal as they finished fifth in the overall standings at the World Championships, behind USA, Kenya, the Netherlands and Canada.
"Congratulations, my boys!" president Duma said on a video call to the 4x400m team on Sunday.
"Thank you so much boys. The nation is proud, everybody is delirious about you guys, and we love you so much!"
Kebinatshipi ran the final leg of the 4x400m in torrential rain, with the US leading at the final changeover.
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"I had to run the most strategic leg because of the weather," said Kebinatshipi.
"I knew I had to go strong but still I wanted to save my energy for the last 100 metres. At the last 80m I pushed and started running faster. I am really grateful to have come home with two gold medals."
Botswana's triumph followed last year's memorable win at the Paris Olympic Games, where Tebogo won gold in the men's 200m.
The government declared a half-day holiday after Tebogo's victory, which president Boko described as one "that will be etched in the annals of the history of the Republic".
Watch and stream coverage of the 2025 World Athletics Championships on TNT Sports and discovery+
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