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Botswana's Letsile Tebogo has discusses his strategy and confidence leading up to his victorious 200m race at the Paris Olympics.
Letsile Tebogo has revealed the moment he knew he had secured a historic victory over American sprinters Noah Lyles and Kenny Bednarek in the 200-meter final at the Paris Olympics
Tebogo's performance was nothing short of historic as he clocked a jaw-dropping 19.46 seconds marking it as the fourth-fastest time ever recorded in the history of the event.
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The race was highly anticipated with Lyles and Bednarek considered strong contenders.
However, as the sprinters reached the curve—a crucial point in the race—Tebogo maintained a slight lead.
"Honestly, during the heats, I was in lane three, and I needed to ensure I entered the semifinals with a fresh body. So, when I noticed that people weren't running those fast times again, I knew there was a chance for a medal," Tebogo shared in an interview with SuperSport on Tuesday.
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Tebogo's confidence soared as he advanced through the rounds, particularly after lining up alongside Noah Lyles in the semifinals.
"For me, being in the semifinals with Noah boosted my confidence because Noah is capable of great things. So, it was a confidence booster going into the final.
So at the final, at the curve was just me and Kenny. Normally, before we are out of the bend, I always see Noah on my left. But when I saw it was just me and Kenny, I knew Kenny didn't have the kick for 400m that I do, and that's how I made it," he explained.
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Entering the final stretch, the young sprinter's confidence surged.
"I knew after the last 50 meters that I had won the race because normally, on the curve, I have to see Noah out front, but this time I saw Kelly and me competing at the front. I just had to maintain my form, and in the last 50m, I knew I had won the race," Tebogo added.
The race dynamics were intense from the start. Tebogo, positioned in lane seven, had a strategic view of his main rivals, Bednarek to his right and Knighton, then Lyles, to his left.
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As they surged out of the blocks and onto the curve, Tebogo's early lead only grew.
His celebration began even before crossing the finish line, as he looked up at the big screen, thumping his chest in victory.
Erriyon Knighton, a two-time world medalist, ended fourth in 19.99 seconds, followed by Alexander Ogando of the Dominican Republic.
Zimbabwe also marked its presence strongly, with Tapiwanashe Makarawu and Makanakaishe Charamba finishing sixth and eighth respectively marking the first time the nation had two sprinters in an Olympic 200m final.
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They were interspersed with Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh who came in seventh.
The aftermath of the race saw Lyles, who had triumphed in a nail-biting 100m final just four days earlier, being attended to by medics after an emotional collapse on the track.
Bednarek secured the silver with a commendable 19.62 seconds, and Lyles followed at 19.70 seconds with Tebogo finishing seventh.
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