Courtney's victory now means he is the current world leader in the event in the category.
World 100m silver medalist Letsile Tebogo fell short of claiming victory in the 200m on Kenyan soil after falling to America’s Lindsey Courtney at the sixth edition of the Absa Kip Keino Classic on Saturday.
Tebogo, competing from lane seven, showcased impressive speed and determination, leading the race for much of the final 90 meters.
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However, a dramatic conclusion saw Courtney cross the finish line first in a time of 19.71 seconds, a time astonishingly similar to Tebogo's. After reviewing the finish, Courtney was declared the winner, leaving Tebogo just short of claiming victory.
Despite the close defeat, Tebogo displayed resilience and positivity following the race. "I have had fun competing today; I was absolutely under no pressure. I believe the fans have gotten the show they came for," Tebogo remarked, emphasizing the enjoyment and entertainment value of the competition for both athletes and spectators.
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Meanwhile, Kenyan athlete Samwel Chege finished at the bottom of the pack with a time of 21.15 seconds, the only competitor to finish in over 20 seconds in the highly competitive field.
On his part, Lindsey stated “I’m feeling good. Just seeing the time what I ran, it put me in a position to know like what I can do this season and where my conditioning is.”
Tebogo, a double World medalist, has been on a record-breaking spree, having clocked a personal best of 44.29 in 400m in Pretoria just over a week ago.
Moreover, he shattered the 300m world record in February, clocking an astonishing 30.69 at the Simbine Curro Classic.
Who is Lindsey Courtney?
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In 2023, representing Texas Tech University, Courtney achieved notable success in the NCAA Outdoor Championship with a personal best time of 9.89 seconds in the 100m final and 19.86 seconds in the 200m race, despite his 4x100m relay team's disqualification.
He further impressed at the USA Outdoor Track and Field Championships, reaching the semi-finals in the 100m and finishing third in the 200m with a time of 19.85 seconds, defeating renowned athletes like Fred Kerley and Christian Coleman.
His international debut came in July 2023 at a Diamond League event in Monaco, where he finished seventh in the 100 metres. He was selected for the 2023 World Athletics Championships in Budapest and narrowly missed the 200m final by one hundredth of a second, clocking 20.22 seconds in the semi-finals.
In 2024, he was chosen to represent the American team at the World Athletics Relays in Nassau, Bahamas, showcasing his continued growth and potential in the sport.