Letsile Tebogo stepped onto the Xiamen track with a clear goal: to kickstart his season on a high note and prove the early critics wrong. As one of the most talked-about sprinters heading into the meet, all eyes were on the Botswana star to see if he could recapture the electrifying form that had crowned him the Olympic 200m champion. But instead of a confident stride toward redemption, Tebogo struggled to find his rhythm, his legs not firing as expected. The race slipped away from him, and he finished a frustrating seventh far from the thunderous finishes fans had come to expect. Criticism poured, but winners don’t quit, they reemerge, and Tebogo finally proved his worth again, and this track and field legend is here for it!

 Earlier in Paris, Tebogo claimed victory in the 200m Olympic finals. The Botswana phenom surged past the likes of Kenny Bednarek and the reigning 100m champion Noah Lyles, claiming Olympic gold in the 200m with a blazing African record of 19.46 seconds, making history for his country. Tebogo has finally now locked into form again with a blistering 200m victory at the Doha Diamond League making a fire comeback. It was a reminder. The Botswana bullet hasn’t lost a step. And Justin Gatlin sees it clearly. The 21-year-old is maturing under pressure, silencing doubters with every powerful stride.

In a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast, legendary sprinter Justin Gatlin weighed in on Tebogo’s performance and potential. Gatlin praised the Botswana star’s natural ability, highlighting that his talent runs deep and his approach to racing shows a unique blend of confidence and control. “Tebogo has so much talent, it’s like it runs deep,” Gatlin explained. “We’ve seen him do things very casually—like jogging a 20.10, slowing down before the line, and looking around. We saw that in his U20 days, so we know he’s got what it takes to get the job done. And right now, his sweet spot is the 200 meters. Seeing him show up and deliver like that? I love it, I love it.” Gatlin’s comments hit at the core of Tebogo’s rise this season: raw talent backed by a strategic sense of pace and timing.

The Olympic champion’s win at the Doha Diamond League, where he clocked 20.10, was far from straightforward. His victory nearly slipped away during a moment now dubbed the “Lindsey stare” when Tebogo, comfortably leading the race, glanced back too early. That split-second look revealed a fierce challenge from USA’s Courtney Lindsey, who was charging hard from Lane 8. As Tebogo eased off slightly, Lindsey closed the gap with relentless power. In a nail-biting finish, Tebogo held on by the slimmest margin by just 0.01 seconds. It was a close call, but a win nonetheless, underscoring both the Olympic champion’s skill and the fierce competition he faces.

For Tebogo, this marked his Doha debut and only his second 200m race of the season, following his April win at the Botswana Grand Prix in 20.23. Earlier in the Diamond League, he focused on the 100m placing seventh in Xiamen and third in Shanghai/Keqiao. With Doha’s 200m being the first of its kind in this year’s Diamond League series, Tebogo’s victory was a powerful statement that he’s overcoming early-season doubts and steadily building momentum.

Breaking barriers and setting records: Tebogo’s rise as Africa’s sprinting icon

Coming around the bend, Tebogo takes charge with a smooth, powerful stride that leaves no doubt. He means business. Effortlessly slicing through the air, he leaves competitors like American Courtney Lindsey in his wake, arms slicing through the air in pure celebration as he crosses the finish line. The African thunderbolt had struck once more. Just days after his thrilling victory at Suheim bin Hamad Stadium, Tebogo opened up to Al Jazeera, sharing the passion that fuels every explosive race.

In his own words, Tebogo revealed, “That’s always been my goal. To snap their dominance. It was sad to see only two nations rule the sport for decades. I wanted to make a breakthrough for African athletes.” He also expressed deep gratitude for the overwhelming support from fans worldwide, saying, “I dreamed of making this breakthrough and seeing how the world would react and their response has truly been inspiring.” Tebogo’s trailblazing journey includes historic feats like becoming the first African to medal in both the 100m (silver) and 200m (bronze) at the 2023 World Championships in Budapest.

He also helped bring home silver in the men’s 4x400m relay. Now, in 2025, his dominance in the Diamond League is nearly untouchable. With six wins spanning multiple continents, Tebogo’s mission goes beyond medals. He’s on a quest to prove African athletes aren’t just participants. They’re leaders. Every time he steps onto the track, Tebogo carries not only Botswana’s hopes but the dreams of an entire continent, often overlooked in sprinting’s global spotlight. He’s more than a sprinter. He’s a movement redefining the sport’s future.