Now we all know just what kind of red-hot form Letsile Tebogo is on. The Olympic gold medalist and Botswana’s sprinting king has been sensational since he clocked an African record of 19.46 seconds to be his nation’s first podium winner. But while the 21-year-old had already had his nation in a grip, what happened on April 12 gave his fans another reason to cheer for him. Back in his hometown of Gaborone, something magical unfolded at the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix. So what was so special?
Well, everything. The National Stadium erupted as Tebogo crossed the finish line, arms outstretched, soaking in the roar of thousands of home fans at the World Athletics Continental Tour Gold meeting. Clocking 20.23 seconds in the 200m—his first race over the distance this season—Tebogo delivered a masterclass on the blue track, dominating a field that included Olympic relay teammate Collen Kebinatshipi, South Africa’s Luxolo Adams, and Jamaica’s Tyquendo Tracey.
World Athletics captured the vibe perfectly in their X post: “Olympic champ, ’s Letsile Tebogo takes the win in his first 200m of the season with 20.23 in front of an excited home crowd .” But what made this victory even more significant for the young star? This win wasn’t just another notch on Tebogo’s belt—it marked a gritty comeback after a rare loss in his previous race, a stumble that had fans holding their breath.
Back with his beloved
Olympic champ, ’s Letsile Tebogo takes the win in his first 200m of the season with 20.23 in front of an excited home crowd #ContinentalTourGold pic.twitter.com/2m4zQ5cHbG
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) April 12, 2025
Last month, at the ASA Grand Prix in Pretoria, the world witnessed as Tebogo’s fellow countryman, Bayapo Ndori, ended up getting the first place on March 12. The youngster ended up with 44.59 seconds. Meanwhile, Tebogo managed a nifty 45.42 at the end of the 400m. This defeat had cast a shadow over his otherwise stellar trajectory, which includes a 4x400m relay silver from Paris 2024 and a world U20 100m record of 9.91 seconds set in 2022.
But now, in front of his beloved home crowd, Tebogo proved why he’s a champ, reclaiming his rhythm on a stage that meant the world to him. So, how does this performance set the tone for his 2025 season? With the World Championships in Tokyo on the horizon in September, Tebogo’s 20.23-second run in Gaborone signals he’s gearing up for another big year.
Early in the season, he’s not chasing records yet, but this win shows he’s ready to build on his Olympic legacy. As the newly appointed Kids’ Athletics Day 2025 ambassador by World Athletics, announced on April 8, 2025, Tebogo is also a growing voice for African athletics, advocating for more major championships on the continent. What broader impact could his success have for the sport’s future in Africa?
Tebogo rising as a role model for Sport in Africa
Tebogo’s vision extends beyond finish lines. “Every step that you take, you have to think beyond that one step that you want to take for yourself because everybody is watching what you are doing,” he said. In a sport where every hundredth of a second counts, his mindset speaks to something more enduring: legacy. As a young African star, he knows his victories aren’t his alone.
No, they’re shared by every kid lacing up their first pair of spikes in Nairobi, Accra, or Harare. So, what steps is Tebogo taking to turn inspiration into action across the continent? While his Olympic gold has undoubtedly shifted the global spotlight toward African sprinting, Tebogo is pushing for more than medals. He’s calling for opportunity, right here at home.
Speaking on the significance of the Dakar 2026 Summer Youth Olympic Games, he said, “It shows that Africa has great potential to host big events.” For decades, African athletes have had to travel across oceans to showcase their talent. Tebogo believes its time for the world to come to Africa. “I believe that as Africans, we are tired of always traveling abroad. Why can’t we take a one-hour flight from our country to the next one and then go and compete?” he asked.
Could the answer to African sporting development lie in building platforms on African soil itself? The stakes are only getting higher. Tebogo now sets his sights on the 2025 World Championships in Japan and, beyond that, Los Angeles 2028. And with all eyes on him, the question remains: how far can Letsile Tebogo—and Africa—run with this moment?
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