American sprinter Courtney Lindsey delivered a commanding performance at the Rabat Wanda Diamond League on Sunday night, storming to victory in the men’s 200m with a season’s best time of 20.04 seconds.
The 26-year-old Texan, who trains out of Texas Tech University, used a blistering bend and held off a fast-finishing field to take top honours in a race that saw big names fall short—including Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, who did not start.
Lindsey’s triumph was especially sweet, coming just over a week after he narrowly lost to Tebogo in Doha. In that race, Tebogo clocked 20.10 and cheekily glanced at Lindsey before crossing the line, leaving the American to settle for second in 20.11. But in Rabat, with Tebogo withdrawing after a disappointing 100m (where he finished ninth in 10.43), Lindsey seized the moment and made his statement.
“The race was fast, but I was expecting it to be faster,” Lindsey said after the win. “I feel great for achieving my season best, though my goal is to run even quicker. The crowd was amazing, the stadium electric—I’m grateful for the support. Now it’s back to training ahead of Rome.”
Liberia’s Joseph Fahnbulleh was second in 20.12, just edging out Fred Kerley, who finished third in 20.16. Robert Gregory (20.26) and Wayde van Niekerk (20.26) rounded out the top five in a highly competitive field. South Africa’s Benjamin Richardson, a national champion, came in seventh with 20.49.
With his eyes now set on the Rome leg of the Diamond League, Lindsey’s Rabat performance sends a strong message—he’s not just chasing times, he’s chasing titles.
Final Results – Men’s 200m, Rabat Diamond League
- Courtney Lindsey (USA) – 20.04
- Joseph Fahnbulleh (LBR) – 20.12
- Fred Kerley (USA) – 20.16
- Robert Gregory (USA) – 20.26
- Wayde van Niekerk (RSA) – 20.26
- Kyree King (USA) – 20.28
- Benjamin Richardson (RSA) – 20.49
- Ryan Zeze (FRA) – 20.68
DNS: Letsile Tebogo (BOT)
