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In the world of athletics, few young athletes have made as explosive an impact as Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo. He first caught the world’s attention at the 2021 World U20 Championships in Nairobi, where he dominated the 100m, winning gold in 10.19 seconds—a championship record. His explosive start and smooth acceleration highlighted his potential to compete at the highest level.
However, it was in 2022 that Tebogo truly announced himself to the world. At the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia, he became the first athlete in history to achieve the 100m-200m double at the event, setting a U20 world record in the 100m with 9.91 seconds (wind-assisted), and then winning the 200m in 19.96 seconds, another U20 record. These performances solidified his status as the fastest junior sprinter of all time.
Tebogo’s transition to senior competition was seamless. At the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest, he made history by becoming the first Botswanan athlete to win a medal in the 100m, claiming silver in 9.88 seconds, behind Noah Lyles. His ability to perform under pressure against elite competition proved that he belonged among the world’s best. He followed this with another remarkable performance in the 200m, finishing third in 19.81 seconds, further demonstrating his versatility across sprint distances.
Heading into the 2024 season, Tebogo continued to impress. At the Botswana National Championships, he clocked a personal best of 19.50 seconds in the 200m, the fifth-fastest time in history. This performance sent a clear message: he was a serious contender for Olympic gold in Paris. And he delivered on that promise, winning the Olympic title and smashing his personal record with an incredible 19.46 seconds.
At just 21 years old, Letsile Tebogo has already rewritten the record books and brought unprecedented success to Botswana’s athletics program. The combination of his raw speed, tactical intelligence, and champion’s mindset makes him one of the most exciting athletes to watch today.
