Reigning world champion Noah Lyles recently ended a near-flawless 2023 season, earning both love and ire for his achievements. Despite his commendable exploits, a US track and field veteran snubbed Lyles while naming the future torchbearer of the tracks. The news comes right after Noah Lyles suffered a defeat at the 2023 Prefontaine Classic.

America?s 4x sprinting World Champion Justin Gatlin was tagged in a social media post. The post carried a video where he named the next biggest track and field star. Gatlin praised the speedy abilities of a sprinter from a rival nation and put him above Noah Lyles. While the sprinter he named is still in the rough, Gatlin believes he is sure to surpass everyone very soon.

Justin Gatlin chooses Botswana sprinter over Noah Lyles

Justin Gatlin recently made an appearance on the Tidal League Podcast. The Olympic gold medalist discussed the 2023 season of Noah Lyles and his journey so far on the podcast. However, Gatlin left everyone wide-eyed when he named Botswana sprinter Letsile Tebogo the future of track and field. The former US sprinting icon made this statement despite discussing Lyles? staunch season at length on the podcast. The official X account of the Tidal League Podcast posted the clip of his statement online via a tweet.

Gatlin noted,??I think Tebogo is the future of track and field when it comes to men?s sprinting. I love the way he runs. I love his technique, I love his gait, I love how he’s out there he just moves. He has that talent where he can run you down so he has the top end as well.??Letsile Tebogo is a 20-year-old sprinter and has dominated the world under 20 championships with two gold medals. Interestingly, however, Noah Lyles has already razed through Gatlin?s top candidate twice at this year?s World Athletics Championship.

Lyles and Tebogo – who’s got a better track record

Noah Lyles astonished the entire world at the Budapest World Athletics Championship by winning three gold medals. This staggeringly rare feat instantly put him on top of the world and bolstered his staunch popularity and recognition. In fact, Noah Lyles also beat Tebogo as part of his Budapest conquest. However, it isn?t hard to notice that Tebogo landed the silver medal in the 100m and the bronze medal in the 200m category.?

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While Noah Lyles claimed his first world championship medal at the age of 22, Tebogo did it at the age of 20. Additionally, Lyles began his campaign by winning the U20 world championship before becoming the world champion at Doha. On the other hand, Lyles is almost in the same league as Usain Bolt, something Tebogo currently lacks. Can Tebogo really replace Lyles and become the future of track and field like Gatlin said?

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