ZURICH, Switzerland (AFP) — Botswana’s track sensation, Letsile Tebogo, thrilled a packed Letzigrund Stadium crowd with a breathtaking performance to secure victory in the men’s 200m at the Diamond League meet in Zurich on Thursday.
The young Olympic champion, at just 21 years old, seemed to be trailing as the race approached its final stretch. However, Tebogo summoned extraordinary speed in the race’s closing moments, crossing the finish line in a scintillating 19.55 seconds. His electrifying finish edged out American Kenny Bednarek, the Olympic silver medallist, by a razor-thin margin of 0.02 seconds.
Following closely behind were American sprinters Erriyon Knighton and Fred Kerley, who completed the podium and finished just off it in 19.79 and 19.81 seconds, respectively.
Reflecting on his determined finish, Tebogo said, “I mean, that’s the mentality that I’ve got, I always dig deep for the races and for everything, so, for me it means a lot.” He added, “Even though it was not my 100 per cent, I think that at the finals it is something that you will see,” referring to the upcoming Diamond League finals in Brussels next week.
Despite his victory, Tebogo acknowledged that his performance wasn’t flawless. He admitted that he hadn’t executed his race strategy as effectively on the opening curve, contrasting with his stellar run that clinched him Olympic gold in Paris. “Today, I did not run the curve, I only ran the home straight — but with the Olympic final I ran throughout the whole race,” he elaborated.
Tebogo’s win in Zurich sets the stage for an even more thrilling showdown at the Diamond League finals. His emphasis on risk-taking as part of his winning formula was clear, “That is something I will do at the Diamond League final because there is still more inside me. I mean, it is all about taking risks. Without risks there is no rewards, so I am taking all the risks that I have got. As long as I finish the season healthy, then I am good to go.”
Tebogo’s performance in Zurich showcased not only his incredible speed but also his resilience and strategic mind, leaving fans eagerly anticipating what he will deliver in Brussels.
