Botswana’s rising sprint star, Letsile Tebogo, showcased his exceptional speed and skill by winning the 100m race in commanding fashion at the Diamond League meeting in Rome on Friday.
Tebogo, who is also the newly-crowned Olympic 200m champion, crossed the finish line in an impressive 9.87 seconds, well ahead of his rivals.
Demonstrating his dominance, the 21-year-old Tebogo eased up and glanced over at his competitors before finishing, underscoring his comfort and control throughout the race.
“This was one of my best 100m races,” Tebogo said after his victory. “Today I had a great start, and it made me think, ‘Why did I not have one like this in the Olympic final?'”
Christian Coleman, who failed to secure a spot on the U.S. team for the upcoming Paris Olympics, finished second in 9.92 seconds. Fred Kerley, a bronze medallist in Paris, came in third with a time of 9.95 seconds, rounding out the podium in a highly competitive field.
Italian sprinter and home favorite Marcell Jacobs, who shocked the world by winning gold at the Covid-delayed Tokyo Olympics in 2021 and placed fifth in Paris, struggled in Rome, finishing ninth and last with a time of 10.20 seconds.
Jacobs expressed his disappointment after the race, saying, “Tonight I could not run faster than that. The race was not how I wanted it to be, and I also did not want to risk an injury. I am not happy about this result, but it was really great to run here in Rome, in front of this wonderful home crowd.”
The Stadio Olimpico, which had hosted a memorable European Championships in June where Jacobs defended his continental 100m crown, was set for another high-quality race with a field that included some of the world’s top sprinters.
However, despite the anticipation and the promising lineup, no world records were threatened on the night.
Tebogo’s victory in Rome further cements his status as one of the brightest young talents in track and field, as he continues to make his mark on the international sprinting scene.
With his speed and confidence growing, he is undoubtedly a force to be reckoned with as the athletics season progresses.
