Lesotho Athletes Are On the Rise on the Global Stage

Maseru – The country’s athletics contingent has been on the move in recent days, with competitors and their coaches travelling across continents to test themselves against elite international athletes. From the speed tracks of South Africa to the long roads of the United States, Basotho athletes continue demonstrating both depth and ambition on the international stage.

In Potchefstroom, three of our short and middle distance specialists lined up at the Hezekiel Sepeng Invitational Meet on Wednesday, April 8. The meet, which is also classified as a World Athletics Continental Challenger event, attracted high-calibre competition from across the region and further afield.

Maqabang Tsibela  ·  Women’s 800m  ·  4th place, 2:02.92

First representing Lesotho was Maqabang Tsibela, who competed in the women’s 800m and delivered a strong performance to finish fourth, clocking 2:02.92. She crossed the line just two seconds behind Prudence Sekgodiso, the former world indoor champion who claimed top position. Tsibela’s run places her firmly among the region’s competitive middle-distance athletes as the season gathers momentum.

Mamakoli Senauoane  ·  Women’s 400m  ·  3rd place, 52.57

Next up in the women’s 400m, Mamakoli Senauoane continued her upward trajectory by securing third place in a tightly contested race, clocking 52.57 against a strong field that included elite athletes from South Africa and Bahrain. Her podium finish shows growing consistency. After the race she made clear that her focus is now on lowering her personal best and potentially rewriting the national record.

Mojela Koneshe  ·  Men’s 100m  ·  3rd place, 10.20

Sprinter Mojela Koneshe rounded off Lesotho’s participation on the tracks with another podium finish, taking third place in the men’s 100m final with a time of 10.20. The margins were razor-thin. Koneshe will be aiming to dip below that mark in upcoming meets as he searches for a new season best and looks to surpass the form he displayed last year.

“Whether on the track or over the marathon distance, Basotho athletes are not only competing internationally but doing so with intent.”

While the sprinters were making their mark in South Africa, elite long-distance runner Tebello Ramakongoana was en route to the United States, where he is set to compete in one of the sport’s most iconic races. The Boston Marathon, now in its 130th edition, takes place on Patriots’ Day, Monday, April 20, 2026. Renowned as one of the oldest and most demanding marathons on the international calendar, the race presents both a physical and tactical challenge for elite runners.

This will mark Ramakongoana’s second appearance at the event. In his debut last year he impressed with an eighth-place finish, recording a time of 2:07:19 against a world-class field. That performance established him as a serious contender, and this year he returns with significantly higher ambitions. With experience on the course and confidence from his previous showing, he has his sights set firmly on challenging for top honours and potentially stepping onto the podium.

Taken together, these performances and upcoming challenges reflect a promising period for athletics in Lesotho. Basotho athletes are not only competing internationally but doing so with intent, pushing for podium finishes and personal bests across every discipline.