There have been rumors about Tebogo since he started breaking age records in the spring season, but now even Bolt is on guard. The sprinter from Botswana set his first U20 world record in the 100 meters with 9.96 in April, before bettering it at the WC in Eugene to 9.94 seconds. But it is the scenes from the final in the U20 WC that have really put him on the map. Barely 25 meters before the goal, he raised his index finger and waved it frantically at the stands and the competitors. He was clearly off the pace, but still ran the best race in history for an athlete under the age of 20: 9.91 seconds. Bolt seemed to like what he saw. He was quick to issue a message on Twitter: “Junior World Cup, I’m following” – Sorry Tebogo’s performance and celebration were like something out of Bolt’s textbook: – If anyone perceived it as disrespectful, I’m sorry. I saw the fans and it was so that everyone watching from home could enjoy the race and remind them a little of what Usain Bolt did a few years ago. He is my idol and the one I look up to, says Tebogo to World Athletics. – I realized that the title was mine from the first step. I didn’t care about the time. I didn’t see, says Tebogo. The Botswanan believes he could run in 9.80 seconds if he stayed focused the whole way. RECORD BREAKER AS YOUTH: Trayvon Bromell held the previous U20 record. He won WC bronze in Beijing in 2015 and in Eugene in 2022. Photo: ANDREJ ISAKOVIC / AFP Before the season, the U20 record in the 100 meters belonged to Trayvon Bromell. The American was the first junior to break the 10-second barrier when he ran 9.97 seconds in 2014. Just three weeks ago, he took the WC bronze in Eugene, where Tebogo crashed out in the semi-finals. – Super talent John Ertzgaard competed in the EC and WC at the sprint distances around the turn of the millennium. He believes that the genetic predispositions – given the fast times at such a young age – must be top notch. The big question is how much he has to take off. – This is a super talent, Ertzgaard asserts to news. If he is to challenge Bolt’s times at senior level, Ertzgaard believes he is dependent on the coaches not having stocked up too heavily on the toolbox already at a young age. – Many have started advanced training at the age of 16 and 17, and then they manage to keep up the development until they are 20-21 years old. But then those who haven’t done it will come, and then they won’t follow anymore, says Ertzgaard. TJALVE LEADER: John Ertzgaard is now the sporting director of Tjalve. His daughters, Kaitesi and Lakeri, are included in the Norwegian European Championship squad. Photo: Fredrik Hagen / NTB He aims, among other things, at the system in the USA, where the investment is professionalized at a young age through secondary school and university. Four of the ten fastest U20 runners are Americans. Berre Bromell managed to improve his personal record in senior age. – They drive on from an early age and without a long-term perspective. The goal is for them to take off. At the same time, he believes that there may be reason to believe that Tebogo has even more to gain, precisely because he does not show that he still has things he can train. – When I look at him, I don’t see someone who has been in the weight room a lot. He actually looks like any 19-year-old. For example, he shows no sign of having spent many hours in the weight room. On Wednesday, Tebogo also ran in a time of 19.98 in the qualification for 200 meters during the U20 WC. The time was the best in the qualification and championship record. – Sprinting for the future To what extent he can at some point beat Bolt’s 9.58 seconds in the 100 metres, he is unsure. But he feels confident that it will go faster than 9.91. – It is difficult to say whether they have taken out a lot at a young age. I think he has a lot going for him. I think he is a sprinter for the future. He depends on getting into the right hands and who thinks a bit long-term. Letsile Tebogo will start studies at the University of Oregon in the World Cup city of Eugene in the fall. The plan is for him to compete as a college athlete in the next few seasons.
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Tebogo apologizes after “disrespectful” world record – news Sport – Sports news, results and broadcasting schedule
