18 Aug 2021

Letsile Tebogo could re-write Botswana’s history books tomorrow at 4:30 p.m when he takes to the track in the 100 metres final at the ongoing World Under 20 Athletics Championships in Kenya.

Tebogo qualified for the final after running a personal best and national record time of 10.11.

His semifinal performance did not go unnoticed as the commentator led in saying ‘this Botswana runner reminds me so much of Usain Bolt, quite a rare gem that Botswana has’. The onus is now on the Kanye native to deliver the first ever 100 metres medal to Botswana.

National team coach, Chilume Ntshwarang, said he had told the athlete to enjoy his race without any pressure. “We don’t want to say a lot of things that might end up confusing him. At the moment we want him to be focused and we have limited social media so that he focus fully for the final,” he said.

Track and field analyst,  Omogolo Ramoroba, said Tebogo, was in good state of mind and looked focused.  He said the athlete should maintain the speed, strength and fighting spirit going into the final.

A lot of races are lost or won because the sprinter does not react properly to the gun. You don’t want to anticipate the gun, but rather react to it. Tebogo's reaction is closely related to his performance, you react well to the starter’s pistol, your chances of first rate performance is guaranteed and this is what won the sensational sprinter the race,” he said.

Meanwhile Jayson Mandoze failed to make it to the final after finishing on position six with a personal best time of 10.54. ends