Hold up—did anyone think Letsile Tebogo would just roll over after a rocky start to 2025? Botswana’s golden boy has made a major promise to bounce back stronger than ever, and he’s already proving he’s not here to be overlooked. After lighting up 2024 with an Olympic gold, the 2025 season hasn’t been exactly kind to Tebogo. But don’t be fooled—he’s got a fire that’s only getting hotter, and his performance at the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League is proof of that. The boy’s on the rise again, and it’s only a matter of time before he’s back at the top.

Let’s talk about that 100m race in Keqiao on May 3rd—Akani Simbine wasn’t messing around. The South African speedster clinched his second 100m victory of the season, clocking in at 9.98 seconds, just edging out Olympic silver medalist Kishane Thompson in a photo finish. But what about Tebogo? He finished third with a solid 10.03s, showing he’s shaking off that early-season rust.

The road to greatness is never a straight line, but Tebogo’s statement at the Diamond League was clear—he’s not here for anything less than a comeback. Before bestowing any medals on that third-place position, we need to understand the true story at play. The beginning of 2024 created massive pressure for Letsile Tebogo after he turned in a terrible start to the year.

His first competition of the season in April saw him finish in an astonishing seventh place, running his 10.20s time, leading people to question whether he remained the same record-breaking athlete from 2024. Although the presence of Simbine, Omanyala, and Coleman did not stun anyone, their competition made fans doubt whether Tebogo could maintain his golden streak.

But here’s where the plot thickens—Tebogo’s mindset is a game-changer. “I’m pretty happy with how I performed today. We are still building up for the main part of the season,” he said after his third-place finish. And that’s the kicker. Tebogo knows this isn’t his peak, and he’s setting his sights on bigger battles ahead.

“I can deliver more in the coming weeks. Last week, my mind was still on the 400m, so I needed to do everything I could to focus on the 100m. I’m next going to prepare for the World Relays and then the Doha Diamond League,” he added. Tebogo puts his attention on the World Relays and Doha Diamond League, so track fans should anticipate a whole different level of competitive spirit from this outstanding performer. Tebogo Tebogo demonstrates to everyone that setbacks will not defeat him. Remember his 2024 season?

The unstoppable rise of Letsile Tebogo

Letsile Tebogo! This guy came out of nowhere in 2024 and shook up the track world. At just 21 years old, he became the first African to win the Olympic 200m gold, clocking in a blazing 19.46 seconds. Think that was a fluke? Think again. Tebogo had already set a new 300m world record earlier that year in Pretoria, making it clear that he wasn’t just a flash in the pan.

His Olympic victory brought Botswana its inaugural Olympic gold medal and became a monumental achievement both for himself and the nation. Such a historic achievement will forever mark its place in history books. Tebogo should not be dismissed. After his success, Tebogo chose to keep working towards new achievements.

Tebogo continues his track journey in 2025 by first placing strongly in the Maurie Plant Meet before taking the Silesia Diamond League with a 19.83-second finish. The runner demonstrates an intention to carry forward his 2024 accomplishments through his continued dedication. But here’s where it gets spicy—his most intense competition comes from Noah Lyles, the current world champion of the 200m event.

But Tebogo’s rise has got a lot of people wondering if he’s the real deal. Sure, Lyles has his Olympic 100m gold, but Letsile Tebogo’s got that youthful hunger and the kind of results that make you think twice. It’s already shaping up to be one of the hottest rivalries in track and field

And you don’t want to miss it, especially when the World Athletics Championship is coming up. These two are pushing each other to new levels, and the world of sprinting is about to get a lot more interesting. Hold on tight—this race is far from over!