World 400m champion Collen Kebinatshipi is promising more fireworks after an outstanding 2026 season that saw him stamp his authority on the one-lap race.Download our Mozzart Sport app for more newsThe 22-year-old has been virtually unstoppable this year, winning all six of his Diamond League races before lowering his national record to 43.40 at the Diamond League Final in Brussels.He saved his biggest statement for the World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest, where he unleashed an explosive front-running display to win the 400m in 43.39, breaking his national record once again.Cheboi aiming to spark past memories in Toronto marathon returnThe victory earned Kebinatshipi the Ultimate Championship title and $150,000 (approximately Ksh19.5 million), but more importantly, it reinforced his belief that he is only getting started.“Trust me, this was just the start of an era of Collen. My plan is just to dominate for the longest period possible,” Kebinatshipi told World Athletics.He had approached many of his races this season by conserving energy before turning on the speed in the latter stages, but in Budapest he decided to abandon that strategy.##NAJAVA_MECA_10002696##“I just decided I should go all out and see where it would end,” he said.And he went all out. Kebinatshipi blasted through the first 100m in 10.61 seconds, reached 200m in 20.67 and passed 300m in a blistering 31.37, leaving a field packed with global medallists trailing in his wake.He crossed the line in 43.39, finishing a staggering 0.76 seconds ahead of runner-up Rai Benjamin.Kenyan veteran breaks World Record in SpainThe effort, however, pushed his body to the limit. Kebinatshipi blacked out shortly after the race and needed several minutes to recover in a wheelchair.“It’s normal. I know every time I push my body, it’s like that. The plan was to give everything, leave everything on the track,” he said.He did exactly that, putting the finishing touch on a remarkable season that also included two 9.89-second 100m clockings on home soil in Gaborone, three national 400m records and a starring role in Botswana’s historic 4x400m victory at the World Athletics Relays.##NAJAVA_MECA_10002716##Botswana clocked an African record of 2:54.47 in Gaborone, further underlining the country’s growing strength in the event.“I need to go home and recover. I didn’t want to mess up because this is my last race; I didn’t want to leave anything in the tank, and now I have nothing in the tank. It’s a special thing to keep the winning streak alive until the end of the season. It was such an amazing season, and it’s a big boost heading towards next year. I just want to make sure I stay healthy until the World Championships,” he said.Jepkosgei sets course record as Kenya secures double victory in Cardiff Half MarathonThe spectacular campaign is the latest chapter in a rapid rise that began when Kebinatshipi took up athletics in primary school simply for fun.His fortunes changed in 2019 when he met his current coach, Chilume ‘Chippa’ Ntshwarang, at a competition. A year later, the pair decided to focus on the 400m, despite Kebinatshipi admitting he was initially afraid of the gruelling event.“Even though I was scared of it, my coach maybe saw something I didn’t see,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_10006708##The decision proved transformative.He lowered his personal best to 45.40 in 2022 at just 18, reached the World U20 final, then won African U20 gold in 44.91 in 2023 and progressed to the World Championships semi-finals.In 2024, he became an Olympian in Paris, narrowly missing the 400m final while helping Botswana claim silver in the 4x400m relay.WADA boss in Kenya as country steps up fight against dopingThen came his breakthrough year.At the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo, Kebinatshipi survived a scare in the heats before storming to a national record of 43.61 in the semi-finals. He followed it with 43.53 in the final to win his first global title.“Last year’s win opened a lot of doors for me, but that was just the beginning, because this year was about putting my name up there and showing people who I am and what I’m capable of,” he said.##NAJAVA_MECA_10006890##He now aims at Wayde van Niekerk’s 43.03 world record, although Kebinatshipi insists there is no immediate pressure to chase it.“I would be lying if I said no. The world record is obviously always running in my mind. The world record talk will be on the table maybe in LA,” he said.His training calculations have already convinced him that a sub-43 run is within reach.Naomi Korir's 13-year battle that almost denied her a career in running“If I go 20.9 in the first 200m and then go 22.0 or 22.1, it’s going to give us a 42.9. But it’s not easy. I’m still a bit lighter; I’m not doing a lot of gym, but as time goes by, when I start engaging the body in more constant work, I think I will manage the world record, but for now, no pressure,” he said.For now, Kebinatshipi is ready to put his feet up.He will return to Botswana for a long break, spending time on his 10-acre farm, where he breeds Boerboel dogs.##NAJAVA_MECA_10005229##He currently has eight and has missed them since May.“I am going to go back home, spend all my prize money on them,” he jokes. “Unfortunately, they are not as fast as I am; they have big muscles and cannot keep up with me,” he revealed.At just 22, Kebinatshipi believes he still has 10 or 11 years left in his track career and is already contemplating life beyond the 400m.Sabastian Sawe reveals the athlete he backs to break the women’s marathon world recordHe could eventually turn his attention to the 200m and even the 800m after achieving his ambitions in the one-lap race.“If we achieve what we want, maybe run under 43 before the next five years, it’d give us another window to try another event. Once I accomplish it, in less than five years, I’m going to move to the 200m, and after achieving what I want, I can skip again, go to the 800m,” he concluded.
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