Courtney Lindsey showcased a remarkable performance in the 200 m event of the Kip Keino Classic set on April 20, 2024. However, Letsile Tebogo, the world silver medallist from Botswana, mounted a relentless pursuit, narrowing the gap with each stride towards the finish line. The intensity of their battle culminated in a nail-biting photo finish, tipping in Lindsey’s favor as he dipped across the finish line.
This achievement marked a significant improvement for Lindsey, slicing 0.14 seconds off his previous personal best which he made at the prestigious Tom Jones Memorial in Florida. Despite the exhilarating victory, the post-race discourse took an intriguing turn, as renowned athlete Michael Johnson shared some notable insights regarding Tebogo’s performance.
Michael Johnson comments on Letsile Tebogo’s performance
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Michael Johnson took to X, to share his insights, suggesting Letsile Tebogo may have underestimated his competition. He tweeted, Letsile probably learned a lesson today. Never underestimate the competition and run the whole race. He thought he could take it easy on the curve and run Courtney down on the straight.”
Letsile probably learned a lesson today. Never underestimate the competition and run the whole race. He thought he could take it easy on the curve and run Courtney down on the straight. https://t.co/SAZgWzd8qV
— Michael Johnson (@MJGold) April 20, 2024
After the race, Letsile Tebogo expressed satisfaction with his performance, noting the progress in his training since competing in South Africa last month. “I am not disappointed with my performance. I’m happy because we’ve spent nearly a week getting our legs back in motion,” Tebogo told reporters.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
He felt his execution during the race was flawless. Looking ahead, Tebogo is focused on a long season, with his first Diamond League appearance in Eugene on May 25 and aspirations to reach the finals at his first Olympics in Paris. He hopes to build on his historic achievement as the first African to win a 100m World Championship silver, adding to his 200m bronze from Budapest last year.
Tebogo’s historic triumph at the World Championships
Last year, Letsile Tebogo made history at the World Championships in Budapest by securing the first-ever men’s 100m world medal for the African continent. Competing under the intense Hungarian sun, Tebogo sprinted to a personal best of 9.88 seconds, finishing just five-hundredths of a second behind world athletics star Noah Lyles.
ADVERTISEMENT
Article continues below this ad
Before this achievement, he had already made a name for himself as a double world junior champion in the 100m and a double runner-up in the 200m in 2021 and 2022. Remarkably, at just 18, he became only the second athlete to break the ten-second barrier in the 100m before turning 20, joining the likes of Bromell.
He later shattered the 20-second barrier in the 200m. Despite these accomplishments, Tebogo expressed that the world silver medal exceeded his expectations, stating, “I’m really proud to win this silver medal. This medal is a bonus for me. That wasn’t the plan, the objective was just the final.” His humility and surprising triumph underscore his rising status and potential in the sport.