American duo of Fred Kerley and Erriyon Knighton put star man Tebogo in their sights

American duo of Fred Kerley and Erriyon Knighton put star man Tebogo in their sights

Eric Munene 11:56 - 21.08.2024

Letsile Tebogo is favourite to win the 200m in Lausanne after his blazing victory in Paris.

The spotlight will be firmly on Letsile Tebogo as he lines up for the men’s 200 metres at the Lausanne Diamond League.

The Olympic champion from Botswana established himself as a dominant force in the sprinting world after winning Botswana's first ever gold medal.

All eyes will be on him as he aims to add another victory to his impressive resume on the Stade Olympique de la Pontaise track.

Tebogo, who set an African record of 19.46 seconds to clinch gold in Paris, has been in phenomenal form this season. His victories in the 200 metres at the Lausanne 2023 Diamond League and Monaco 2024, where he clocked 20.01 and 19.87 seconds respectively, highlights his exceptional speed and consistency.

With a lifetime best of 9.86 in the 100 metres and a notable continental record of 2:54.53 in the 4x400 metres relay, Tebogo's credentials are second to none.

He faces stiff competition from a stellar field of sprinters, including top US athletes Fred Kerley and Erriyon Knighton. Kerley, who won the 100 metres world gold medal in Eugene 2022 and secured a bronze in Paris, is a formidable rival. His impressive 9.81-second performance in Paris and his 200 metres prowess make him a significant contender.

Knighton, a rising star with two world championship medals, will also be a major threat. Having finished third in Eugene 2022 and second in Budapest 2023 in the 200 metres, Knighton’s consistency at the highest level is remarkable. Despite a slightly off performance at the Paris Olympics, his previous results demonstrate his potential to challenge Tebogo.

Adding further depth to the race are Jereem Richards and Alexander Ogando. Richards, who captured gold at the Commonwealth Games in 2022 and has shown strong performances this season, including a 200 metres win in Lucerne, will be a competitor to watch.

Ogando, who placed fifth in the 200 metres at both the World Championships and the Olympics, is also in contention, although he will need to improve on his past performances to threaten the top spots.

Swiss fans will be excited to support local sprinters Timothé Mumenthaler and William Reais, both of whom achieved podium finishes at the European Championships. Their presence adds a home crowd dynamic to the race, which could provide an extra boost.

With Tebogo's remarkable track record and current form, he is the clear favorite for victory. However, with strong competitors like Kerley and Knighton in the mix, the race promises to be thrillingly competitive.

The Stade Olympique de la Pontaise will be the stage for what is expected to be an electrifying showdown in the men’s 200 metres.

Stay tuned to Pulse Sports Kenya for the latest Athletics updates.

Tags: