Superb Tebogo delivers as big names struggle

Kabelo Boranabi | Monday May 1, 2023 17:08

Tebogo Letsile (in red) of Botswana approaching the finishing line to win the 200m men category at the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix at the National Stadium in Gaborone on 29 April 2023. ((Pic:Monirul Bhuiyan/Press Photo)

The World Athletics Continental Golden Tour made a pit stop in Botswana for the first time over the weekend. The meet lined up some of the world's top track and field stars in front of a record national athletics crowd. On home soil, Tebogo left the crowd eating from the palms of their hands with superb displays while a number of top athletes struggled on a very fast National Stadium track on the day. Tebogo won the 200m title with an impressive time of 19.78 to send the National Stadium into roaring cheers. Canadian, Aaron Brown and Joseph Fahnbulleh of Liberia were second and third with 20.00 and 20.14 times respectively.

On the day Tebogo ran a Personal Best and a World Leading time for this year. Ahead of the start it was purported to be a close contest between Tebogo and six-time Olympic medalist and the 2020 Olympic champion in the 200, Andre De Grasse. However, the Canadian, in his first race of the season, could not keep up with his fellow sprinters and finished in a disappointing seventh place with a time of 20.41. Another favourite, the 2020 Olympic silver medalist and the 2022 World champion, Jerome Blake of Canada came in at position six. 'Schoolboy' redeemed himself after settling for the second place as Kenyan, Ferdinand Omanyala took the 100m title. Omanyala stormed to a 9.78 time as Tebogo clocked a 9.91 time. Tebogo blamed the starter for his performance in the 100m. For the 200m, the youngster said he did not expect to clock such a fast time and feels he is on the right track early into the 2023 season. "I did not have any pressure because I told my coach and manager that my body is ready for the 200m and they agreed so we did our best and I think wherever they are, they are proud and happy," Tebogo said.

Zambian prospect, Samukonga Muzala shocked former Olympic and World champion, Kirani James of Granada as he won the 400m title. Muzala became the first man to run a sub 44 as he won the race with an impressive 43.91 with James coming in second with a time of 44.76 while local star, Leungo Scotch came in at third place with 44.92. For the women's 200m, many had touted Sha'Carri Richardson to the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix crown. American, Kayla White was not having any of it as she clocked 22.38 to finish ahead of Richardson's 22.54.