Letsile Tebogo has opened up on the most valuable lessons from his African brothers Ferdinand Omanyala and Akani Simbine.
Reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has opened up about the valuable lessons learnt from Akani Simbine, Ferdinand Omanyala and Co as he transitioned to the senior category.
The 2022 season was Tebogo’s final year competing in the junior category and he admitted that his switch to the senior level was not a walk in the park but thanks to his African ‘brothers’, he was able to quickly adapt.
The world 100m silver medallist admitted that he was a bit playful while competing as a junior athlete and he had to tone that down as he transitioned to the senior category.
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Tebogo made his international debut at the 2021 World Under-20 Championships where he claimed a gold medal in the 100m and second in the 200m.
He proceeded to the World Under-20 Championships in Cali, Colombia where he won the 100m and 200m titles then made the bold decision to transition to the seniors. Tebogo claimed silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m at the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary.
In his second year as a senior athlete, he made waves at the Paris Olympic Games, winning the 200m gold medal and anchoring the 4x400m relay team to a silver medal.
Tebogo revealed that from Omanyala and Simbine, there are valuable lessons he has learnt that have helped him manoeuvre the new scene.
“What I’ve learned from the seniors is that there is no time for playing around because it’s all business now. When you look at my 2022, I was too playful but now that I’m in the senior category, everything has changed because it’s all business for everybody and there is no time for those mind games,” Tebogo said in an interview with Sports Wave Africa Foundation.
“Another thing I have learnt is that sometimes you can get it but other times you might not get it because when you look at Akani, since 2016 I think he has been in the final of every championship. I have also learnt that you need to be consistent going into the final or just being there to take part in whichever competition or championship.”
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As the athletes look to kickstart their seasons, one question remains: is 2025 the year another sprinter finally gets a hold of Florence Griffith-Joyner’s long-standing world record?
Tebogo will be looking to continue making a mark in the world of sprinting as he partners with Omanyala and Simbine. He aims to go one place better in the 100m and 200m at the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan.
The Motswana youngster will be lining up against some of the most formidable sprinters including Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Marcell Jacobs, and Fred Kerley among other stars but he has all it takes to continue silencing them.
