Africa-Press – Botswana. Botswana’s sprint sensation, Letsile Tebogo, who settled for second spot in the men’s 200m at the Monaco Diamond League with a time of 19.97 to the victorious, Noah Lyles with 19.88, says though he is disappointed with his performance, he now has an ‘idea of what to work on’.
In his post race interview, Tebogo attributed his performance to call room, which was done about 20 minutes before time thus shortening the warm up time.
“That is nonetheless not an excuse, we all came and showed up and I know have an idea of what to work on,” he said.
Tebogo, who was fresh off a 19.76 world lead victory a week ago at the Eugene Diamond League, faced a formidable challenge in the reigning Olympic 100m champion and three times World 200m champion, Lyles who ran on the outer lane, seven.
Lyles made his intention clear as he announced his 200m season debut on social media, with the tag line; Meeting Herculis, diamond league Monaco, 200m 2025 debut, Friday, July 2025, signalling his intent to reclaim dominance after Tebogo’s 19.46 seconds triumph in Paris Olympics 2024.
In a race that was set for a high stakes showdown with track fanatics anticipating an electrifying clash between the two king of sprints, Tebogo was quick of the block in lane six and was on the shoulder of Lyles in the outer lane seven coming off the bend.
Despite putting up a gallant fight coming off the bend, Tebogo faded off toward the home straight and it was the American who crossed the finish line ahead of the rest clocking 19.88s, which was also the ninth fastest time of the season so far with Tebogo doing 19.97 just 0.02 ahead of Zimbabwe’s Makanakaishe Charamba in third with 19.99 seconds.
The American sprinter, who last won a competitive 200m in Budapest 2023, winning gold, has been strategic in his return to the track following a lengthy angle injury, opting to skip early season races with the aim to re-assert his reign and prepare of the 2025 Tokyo World Champions in September.
With Botswana destined to host the World relays, Tebogo said he was hopeful to compete in both sets of relays though the 4x400m was more interesting than the 4x100m.
Meanwhile, Collen Kebinatshipi finished in second place with a time of 20.28 in the U23 men’s non-diamond league race, behind Australia’s Gout Gout who registered 21.10 while South Africa’s Jack Naeem finished of the podium positions with a time of 20.42.
It was a bad day in Monaco for Tshepiso Masalela in the 800m finishing way off in eighth position clocking 1:43.82.
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