May 25 was supposed to be a blockbuster sequel. After the fireworks in Doha on May 16, track fans were ready for another chapter in the rising rivalry between Letsile Tebogo and Courtney Lindsey. That night in Qatar, Tebogo didn’t just win the men’s 200m—he owned it. He crossed the finish line in 20.10 seconds, but not before easing up and throwing a playful, borderline provocative glance at Lindsey. A moment of flair. A bit of swagger. A statement.Lindsey was right there behind him—just 0.01 seconds short—but the message had already been sent: Tebogo is here, and he’s not afraid to let you know it. The clip went viral. Social media buzzed. Analysts dissected the glance, fans picked sides, and Tebogo? Cool as ever.

 “I told Mak that now this is our first race,” the Olympic champion said with a grin after the meet. “I have to enjoy it because once it gets tough, uh, throughout the season, I won’t be able to enjoy it, you know. At least let me enjoy one race and then I’ll see how we do about the other ones.” So Rabat was set. The stage was perfect. A rematch in the making. All eyes on the men’s 200m at the Rabat Diamond League. But the moment never came. As the start lists confirmed the showdown, something was off. Tebogo’s name—DNS. Did Not Start. Confusion swirled. No announcements. No interviews. And no Tebogo. Instead, earlier in the afternoon, the Motswana athlete lined up for the men’s 100m. It was a surprise appearance—and a puzzling one. Because what followed was even more unexpected. 

Letsile Tebogo finished ninth. Dead last. 10.43 seconds. A shadow of the sprinter who had toyed with Lindsey just nine days earlier. No signature drive. No signature grin. And no ultimate fire. Whispers turned to concern. Was he hurt? Exhausted? Something more? Then, late that evening, Tebogo broke his silence. In a heartfelt post, he opened up:“Today’s performance wasn’t what I had hoped for. I’m currently dealing with a recurring injury, which hasn’t been easy. However, I’m channeling this disappointment and pain into resolve.” The curtain was pulled back. The truth was simple but heavy—he was running hurt. “I’m already focused on recovery and growth,” he added. “And I know I will come back a stronger man. See y’all soon❤️‍🩹” And just like that, the roar turned into a whisper. The fire into quiet resolve. 

It wasn’t the electrifying encore fans had been hoping for. Instead, it unfolded into a different kind of narrative—one marked by vulnerability, determination, and a champion refusing to let pain define his journey. Yet this season, Letsile Tebogo has struggled to recapture the explosive form that once made him a force in the men’s 100m. Leading up to the 100m race at the Rabat Diamond League, he had competed in three other 100m races. Of those, he only claimed victory at the Potch Invitational. In none of the races did he come close to his personal best of 9.86 seconds. Meanwhile, his performances in the 200m continued to shine, suggesting that something wasn’t quite right. Was there an issue lingering beneath the surface? No one can say for sure. But history reminds us—injuries have threatened to disrupt his dominance before.

Letsile Tebogo had to miss the Diamond League for his injury

Two years ago, Letsile Tebogo was on the rise, hypnotizing the world with his blistering speed and unshakable composure. But behind the highlight reels and celebratory finishes, there was a story few people knew—one written in pain, grit, and quiet determination. The setting was Budapest, Hungary, where the world had gathered for the 2023 World Championships. Tebogo was deep in preparation for the men’s 200m, building off his momentum and hoping to cap off the season with a strong finish. But then—something went wrong.

While sharpening up during training ahead of his event, a sharp discomfort crept into his hamstring. Not the kind of soreness sprinters ignore—but something deeper. A nagging pain that signaled trouble. Coach Kebonyemodisa Mosimanyane later revealed what many didn’t know at the time.   

“Just from the heat, he went into the semis with that pain,” Letsile’s coach said.  “He lined up in the finals where he finished in position three with that pain.” Subsequently, Letsile missed the Zurich Diamond League meeting shortly after. The injury needed rest, time, and care and he provided that to himself. Because sometimes, greatness isn’t just about how fast you are when you’re at your best. It’s about how far you’re willing to go when you’re hurting.