Who is Letsile Tebogo? Facts You Need to Know About the New U20 100m Record Holder

Letsile Tebogo, Botswana's sprinting sensation, has captured global attention with his recent achievements. Born on June 7, 2003, in Kanye, Botswana, has made significant strides in athletics. At just 18 years old, on February 19, 2022, he set a new national record in the 100m with a time of 10.08 seconds at the Botswana Athletics Championships. Two months later, Tebogo became the first Botswanan to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m, clocking 9.96 seconds at the Gaborone International Meet, setting a new world under-20 record. On July 15, 2022, he further improved his record in his debut at the World Athletics Championships in Eugene, Oregon, with a time of 9.94 seconds. The following month, he broke his own record again with a 9.91-second performance in the final of the World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia. Tebogo’s early celebration at the end of the race drew comparisons to Usain Bolt, the world record holder in both the 100m and 200m.

On August 8, 2024, Tebogo achieved another historic milestone by winning the 200m final at the Paris Olympics with a time of 19.46 seconds, earning Botswana's first-ever Olympic gold medal. His international journey began at the age of 17 when he competed in the 2021 World Athletics Relays in Chorzów, Poland, followed by a successful showing at the World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya, where he won gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m. Beyond breaking records and winning titles, here are four intriguing facts about Letsile Tebogo that you should know:

1. Inspired by Usain Bolt

Tebogo looks up to Usain Bolt, the fastest man in history and an eight-time Olympic champion. He dreams of achieving similar success and is determined to make his mark in athletics. With a vision to elevate African sprinting and track events, Tebogo is eager to lead the continent to new heights and break even more records in the future.

2. Favorite Event: The 200m

While Tebogo has excelled in the 100m, his favorite event is the 200m. He aims to join the sub-20 club and was particularly motivated to excel in the 200m after finishing second at the World U20 Championships. His goal is to secure a sprint double at the upcoming World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.

3. From Football to Track Star

Tebogo started as a promising footballer, but injuries shifted his focus to sprinting. Frustrated by being benched in football, he decided to pursue athletics, His decision was driven by his desire to support his family and his success in running events. At just 13, he made a mark by winning multiple events at the Botswana Primary Schools Sport Association championships.

4. Rapid Ascent in Sprinting

Tebogo only began to take sprinting seriously in 2019. His dedication quickly paid off, as evidenced by his impressive performance at the World U20 Championships in Nairobi, Kenya. He soon set a new U20 world record with a time of 9.96 seconds, becoming only the second athlete to break the 10-second barrier in this age class. With his eyes set on the World Athletics Championships in Oregon and the Paris 2024 Olympics, Letsile Tebogo is a rising star to watch in the world of athletics.