Discover how Botswana’s sprinting sensation, Letsile Tebogo, takes on a thrilling new challenge in the 400m at Melbourne’s Maurie Plant Meet 2025.
Botswanan sprinting sensation Letsile Tebogo is set to make history once again as he steps up to the 400m distance at the Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne on March 29, 2025.
The reigning Olympic 200m champion and World Male Athlete of the Year will take on this endurance challenge as part of his season opener, marking a new chapter in his already illustrious career.
With a blistering 19.46-second Olympic triumph in the 200m and a personal best of 44.29 in the 400m, Tebogo is no stranger to pushing the limits of speed.
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But what makes this race particularly significant? Here are five things you need to know about his historic 400m race in Melbourne.
1. Tebogo’s first-ever race in Australia
For the first time in his career, Letsile Tebogo will compete on Australian soil, adding another milestone to his growing legacy.
The Maurie Plant Meet in Melbourne, a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event, has a reputation for attracting the best sprinters in the world.
“I’m excited to compete for the very first time in Australia and open my 2025 season at the Maurie Plant Meet as the Olympic 200m champion,” Tebogo shared.
Australia has a strong tradition of hosting world-class athletics events, and Tebogo’s participation elevates the prestige of the meet.
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Fans will witness a unique blend of speed and endurance, as he tests himself against some of the biggest names in sprinting, including Noah Lyles, Kenny Bednarek, Marcell Jacobs, and Fred Kerley.
2. Stepping up to the 400m: A new challenge for Tebogo
While Tebogo has already cemented his name among the world’s fastest in the 100m and 200m, the 400m presents a new challenge that will test his endurance and race strategy.
He has previously demonstrated his capability in the event, but this race is expected to push him to new limits.
“I will be stepping up to the challenge of the 400m,” Tebogo said.
“Starting the season with this long-distance challenge will set the stage for what’s ahead. I’m ready to push my limits and make every moment count.”
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Tebogo holds a personal best of 44.29 in the 400m, a time that places him among the best in the world. If he continues his trend of rapid improvement, he could emerge as a serious contender in the one-lap event in the future.
3. The historic 4x400m silver medal at the Paris Olympics
Tebogo’s experience in the 400m is not entirely new—he played a pivotal role in Botswana’s 4x400m relay team, which clinched a silver medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics.
Alongside his teammates Bayapo Ndori, Victor Ntweng, and Leungo Scotch, Tebogo helped Botswana secure one of their greatest achievements in Olympic history.
Their silver medal finish put Botswana in the global spotlight and proved that the nation is a force to be reckoned with in sprinting.
In Melbourne, Tebogo will reunite with Ndori, Scotch, and Ntweng, creating an electrifying atmosphere as all four sprint stars line up in the 400m event. The race could be a preview of future relay dominance, especially with the 2025 World Championships on the horizon.
4. From U20 star to Olympic champion
Tebogo’s journey to the top has been nothing short of spectacular. He first burst onto the scene at the 2021 World U20 Championships, winning gold in the 100m and silver in the 200m.
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He followed that up with an incredible double gold in the 100m and 200m at the 2022 World U20 Championships in Cali, Colombia.
In 2023, he won silver in the 100m and bronze in the 200m at the World Championships, proving his ability to compete with the world’s best.
Then came his crowning moment—gold in the 200m at the 2024 Paris Olympics, where he clocked 19.46, making him the fifth-fastest man in history over the distance.
His 400m race in Melbourne could be another step in his evolution as an athlete. If he succeeds, he might become one of the rare sprinters capable of dominating from 100m to 400m, much like Michael Johnson and Wayde van Niekerk before him.
5. The 400m race could shape his future events
Tebogo’s decision to start his 2025 season with a 400m race is strategic. It allows him to build endurance and test his limits, potentially giving him an edge in the shorter sprints later in the year.
“I’m ready to push my limits and make every moment count,” Tebogo said, emphasizing that this race is part of a bigger plan.
If he excels in Melbourne, he might consider adding more 400m races to his schedule, opening up new opportunities for medals at global championships.
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A strong performance in the 400m could also help improve his 200m endurance, making him an even bigger threat in the half-lap event.
With his 30.69 world-best time in the 300m, Tebogo has already shown his ability to hold top-end speed over extended distances.
Could he become a future 400m champion? The Melbourne race will give us a glimpse into what’s possible.
