Amantle Montsho and Nijel Amos Backed to Shine Again in Diamond League

Botswana’s leading track stars, Amantle Montsho and Nijel Amos, are being tipped to make another strong impression as the Diamond League season gets underway in Doha. Athletics official Glody Dube believes both have the talent and drive to stay among the sport’s elite, although he expects the competition to be demanding. Montsho enters the campaign after winning the women’s 400-metre Diamond League title in each of the previous two seasons. Her 2011 victory came after six race wins, while last year she competed six times and collected two victories. A series of runner-up finishes still helped her secure the overall crown, despite American rival Sanya Richards-Ross taking more individual race wins. Dube said Montsho has the work ethic and ability to pursue a third straight title, but advised her to approach each race carefully. According to him, rivals have closely studied her running, so she should also examine their strengths and weaknesses. British runner Christine Ohuruogu and Jamaica’s Novlene Williams-Mills were identified as potential threats to her bid. Amos, meanwhile, was preparing to challenge for the 800-metre title at just 18 years old. The Olympic silver medallist was expected to face world-record holder David Rudisha, who had set a 1:40.91 mark at the London Games. Amos’s own Olympic time of 1:41.73 placed him third on the all-time list at the time. Dube said Amos could spring an upset against Rudisha if he trained well, while acknowledging that it would be a difficult task. The assessment offered a hopeful outlook for Botswana’s pair, but the season would ultimately test whether they could reproduce the form that had brought them international attention.