Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo has reacted after highlighting his class with a stunning come-from-behind victory at the Zurich Diamond League on Thursday night.
Braving the chilly conditions, the 21-year-old Motswana sprinter stormed to a winning time of 19.55 seconds in the 200m, defeating a star-studded field that included Olympic silver medallist Kenny Bednarek, who Tebogo overtook at the line.
American sensation Erriyon Knighton finished third in 19.79 seconds, followed closely by Fred Kerley, who posted 19.81.
Speaking after the race, Tebogo opened up about his winning mentality and his tactical shift that has defined his races since the Paris 2024 Olympics.
“I mean, that’s the mentality that I’ve got, I always dig deep for the races and for everything, so for me, it means a lot. Even though it was not my one hundred percent, I think that at the finals it is something that you will see,” Tebogo explained, his eyes already set on the Diamond League final in Brussels.
“I still have two weeks to prepare for that, so I can’t just be without doing anything. What was different [between this race and the Olympics] was the curve,” he added.
“Today, I did not run the curve, I only ran the home straight – but with the Olympic final I ran throughout the whole race.”
Tebogo, who made history by becoming the first African to win the Olympic 200m title in Paris, is not resting on his laurels. His post-Olympic performances, including victories at the Rome Diamond League and now Zurich, suggest that he is building a reputation for late-race heroics.
This newfound confidence has led him to embrace riskier strategies on the track.
“I mean, it is all about taking risks. Without risks there is no rewards, so I am taking all the risks that I have got,” he said boldly.
As Tebogo approaches the Diamond League final, he’s keen on refining his tactics, emphasizing that there’s more in the tank.
“At the Diamond League final, I will run the whole race because there is still more inside me,” he promised.
The Brussels showdown is set to be the final major event of the season, and Tebogo is eyeing a flawless finish to what has already been a landmark year.
Reflecting on his whirlwind season, Tebogo revealed that the grind hasn’t allowed much time for celebration.
“I didn’t have any time to celebrate that gold medal because there were only eight days until my next Diamond League event, so I had to stay as grounded as possible,” he shared.
The young sprinter also noted that while his accomplishments on the track have elevated his status, he feels unchanged by the success.
“After the Olympics, I don’t see or feel any changes in me. Unless people start telling me that I changed, I need to look into that. My goal is always to be as grounded as possible,” he said, underlining his humility despite his growing aura of invincibility.
Tebogo’s latest victory in Zurich adds to his growing collection of wins, with many now seeing him as a formidable force in the sprinting world.
For now, though, the sprinter is laser-focused on staying healthy and continuing to push his limits.
“As long as I finish the season healthy, then I am good to go,” Tebogo concluded, leaving little doubt that more fireworks can be expected in the weeks ahead.
