A blockbuster clash, a must-see segment, that’s how one can describe it when two Olympians face each other. In case you missed the buzz, then let us remind you, Noah Lyles will be competing at the 2025 Diamond League season in Monaco on July 11. It will be his 200m season opener, and it won’t be easy. Why, well because Letsile Tebogo is also stepping onto the track, eager to make his mark. This isn’t just a race, it’s a showdown of legacy, dominance, and pride.
It all unfolded when a social media post from the American sprinter made headlines. “Meeting Herculis. Diamond League Monaco. 200m 2025 Debut. Friday, July 11.” Let’s also remind you that due to an injury, the outspoken Lyles has been quiet with his approach so far, even going so far as to deleting all his posts on Instagram. For context, this 27-year-old was out of competition since mid-April, dealing with a “tight ankle.” Could this be the reason why Tebogo could edge ahead on Friday?
Can Letsile Tebogo reclaim the Paris 2024 heroics against Noah Lyles?
The Botswana sprinter and Lyles challenged each other in the 200m twice at the Paris Olympics. Both times, the results were in favor of the former. In the 200 m semi-finals, Tebogo surged ahead around the bend to clock 19.96s, beating Lyles, who followed in 20.08s. Who can forget the finals, where Tebogo not only claimed gold with 19.46s, but also set an African record? On the other hand, the American counterpart finished with Bronze in 19.70, but later cited, he wasn’t at 100% with reports citing COVID-19 issues. Beyond that, current form favors Letsile Tebogo!
Paris 2024 Olympics – Athletics – Men’s 200m Final – Stade de France, Saint-Denis, France – August 08, 2024. Letsile Tebogo of Botswana reacts after winning gold with bronze medallist Noah Lyles of United States. REUTERS/Sarah Meyssonnier
How has Noah Lyles’ rival’s 2025 season been so far?
He recently won the Prefontaine Classic in 19.76 seconds– the world’s fastest time this season. Another argument supporting the 22-year-old is also his numbers over the past events. If we look at the current World Lead by Letsile, Noah was faster than them only twice in his eight 200m attempts last year. His standout performance came with a 19.53 s victory at the U.S. Olympic Trials on June 29—a world-leading time that season. But the last time the American sprinter reigned over Tebogo was more than 23 months ago.
In the past 11 races this season, Letsile Tebogo has been competing on all three fronts with 100m, 200m, and 400m. In all three 200m races, he finished at the top of the podium at the Doha Meeting, the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, and the Prefontaine Classic. Despite this being Noah Lyles’ first race since April, don’t count him out just yet.
What do past records say about Noah Lyles?
With five Diamond Trophies already under his belt, Noah Lyles’ now just one away from tying the all-time record held by Renaud Lavillenie and Christian Taylor. In fact, Lyles’ last 200m loss on the Diamond League circuit came in 2019 in Rome. Michael Norman ran 19.70 (+0.7) for the win. His 9–0 winning streak is now also on the line. Previously, it was back at the 2023 Anniversary Games in London on July 21, 2023. Noah Lyles outpaced everybody with a time of 19.47s, and the Botswana sprinter finished behind with 19.50. Before this, Lyles had another win over him at the London Diamond League, July 23, 2023.
So, the Monaco clash also serves as a tiebreaker, with both Olympic gold medalists having two wins apiece. On one hand, we have in form Tebogo and on the other, a hungry Lyles. Both will be itching to outpace each other, but only one can do so.
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