Tebogo powers to World Under-20 record
Calistus Kolantsho | Tuesday May 3, 2022 16:00
Tebogo powered to the finish line stopping the clock at 9.96 in 100m. The 19 year-old has also set a new national record. The World Under-20 record had stood since 2014 and was set by Trayvon Bromell. Tebogo delivered a personal best (PB) and claimed the bragging rights of being the first Motswana to run 100m in 100 seconds.
The sprint sensation has stamped his ticket to Oregon World Athletics Championships in July. Namibian champion, Christine Mboma had an easy day in the office. She ran a World lead of 21.87 in the women’s 200m at the National Stadium less than an hour after running African Under-20 record time of 10.97 in the 100m. Mboma is the first Under-20 athlete in history to go Sub -11/22 on the same day.
Despite the rainy conditions that threatened to affect the Meet, Tebogo and Mboma had other ideas. Mboma’s teammate, Beatrice Masilingi had a terrible weekend, finishing in position six in the 100m posting 13.12. She was struggling with an injury that also led to her pulling out of the 200m. Speaking to Sport Monitor, Tebogo said he was excited about the performance that he pulled. “I did not want to break the World Under-20 record today because of the weather conditions. But we just have to accept it because it came.
It is still early into the season for me to be running that fast,” he said. Tebogo said at first he thought South African sprinter, Gift Leotlela will take the race but when he saw him slipping on the start block, he grabbed the opportunity with both hands. He said competing at the World Championships is exposure as he will compete with the fastest sprinters in the World and he plans to enjoy his race. For her part, Mboma said she was happy about getting an opportunity to race in the Gaborone International Meet.
She said despite the wins that she got, the most important thing was the humanity she received from Batswana. “You can see that athletics is a unifier. After my race I was surprised by the huge number of people who wanted to take photos with me. I am truly humbled by the reception. From here my next stop is the Kip Keino Classic Meet in Nairobi next weekend,” said the Olympic silver medalist.
Meanwhile, Isaac Makwala bid the nation farewell in style after running both the 100m and 200m. It was his last GIM after he announced last year that he has decided to retire.