Letsile Tebogo endured a night to forget at the Rabat Diamond League on Sunday. The Botswana sprint sensation, who had arrived in Morocco aiming to dominate both the 100m and 200m events, left fans puzzled after a disappointing ninth-place finish in the 100m and a last-minute withdrawal from the 200m.
High Expectations, Tough Night
Coming into the event, all eyes were on Tebogo. The reigning Olympic 200m champion had promised a thrilling performance for the thousands of African fans who filled the Moulay Abdellah Stadium, eager to witness history in the making. But from the start, things didn’t go as planned.
In the men’s 100m final, Tebogo struggled to find his rhythm against a strong field. South Africa’s Akani Simbine stormed to victory in 9.95 seconds, with Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala and USA’s Fred Kerley claiming second and third respectively. Tebogo, uncharacteristically, crossed the line in ninth, a result that immediately sparked concerns about his form and fitness.
Injury Struggles Revealed
The mystery deepened when Tebogo pulled out of the 200m race later that evening. Fans and analysts alike speculated about possible injuries or tactical decisions behind the scenes. It didn’t take long for the sprinter to set the record straight.
Taking to his Instagram page, Tebogo opened up about a nagging injury that has hampered his preparations and performance.
“Today’s performance wasn’t what I had hoped for. I’m currently dealing with a recurring injury, which hasn’t been easy,” Tebogo wrote. “However, I’m channelling this disappointment and pain into resolve. I’m already focused on recovery and growth, and I know I will come back a stronger man. See y’all soon❤️.”
A Season of Ups and Downs
Tebogo’s 2025 season has been a mixed bag so far. He began the year with a series of 400m races designed to build his endurance for the 200m, before making his 100m season debut at the Potch Invitational Meet in South Africa. He then competed at the Diamond League Meetings in Xiamen and Shanghai, finishing seventh and third respectively in the 100m.
In the 200m, Tebogo impressed with a win at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix and followed it up with another victory at the Diamond League Meeting in Doha. These performances had raised hopes of a dominant outing in Rabat, but his recurring injury evidently disrupted those plans.
Eyes on the World Championships
Despite the setback, Tebogo remains optimistic about the road ahead. The world 100m silver medallist and 200m bronze medallist has now shifted his focus to recovery, with the World Championships in Tokyo, Japan later this year firmly in sight.
With the global athletics community rallying behind him, Tebogo’s determination to bounce back stronger promises an exciting second half to the season. If his resilience matches his raw talent, few would bet against him returning to the podium soon.
