TSHITE GUNNING FOR TOP-6 SPOT IN 1 500M HEATS
TSHEPO Tshite has set his sights on a topsix finish when his Olympic journey kicks off today with the 1500m heats at the Paris Games.
The 27-year-old – the 2023 North West Sportsman of the Year – broke through as an 800m runner, making his debut at the African championships in Asaba, Nigeria, in 2018, but soon stepped up to the 1 500m. In just his second year in the event, he will soon take to the track at the Stade de France in what is the highest level of competition in athletics.
It is a task Tshite is not taking lightly. “The first thing will be to enjoy myself and ensure I make it to the final,” he said.
“I qualified last year at the world championships. I feel, in comparison, the Olympics and the world championships, they are almost similar, competition-wise. The world championships are also major championships with the best athletes in the world.
“I'm yet to run at the Olympics, but I have run only three world championships and this will be my first Olympics, and I can say they are close to being the same, competition-wise.
“Remember with the Olympics, for me to be in the final, I need to be in the top six; it's not the same as in 800m. In order for you to qualify, they only consider the fastest six regardless of how fast you ran.
“Even if the race is tactical, I will try by all means to be in the top six. My goals are on the right path.
“Remember, I was an 800m athlete and I changed to 1500m ... I managed to qualify for the Olympics and that makes me very happy and all that is left is for me to make the finals.”
Tshite is focused on his own race and preparations without concerning himself too much about his competition.
“It's all about trying to get to those finals. Last year, at the world championships, I missed the finals by a whisker. I finished in seventh position and was supposed to be in position six. But, unfortunately, it wasn't to be, even though I was fast. At least got a time that qualified me for the Games.”
Ryan Mphahlele will also be in action in the first round of the 1500m event today.
The 26-year-old will be looking to add to the silver medal he won at the African championships in 2022 in Mauritius.