Noah Lyles believes he's still at a higher level than Letsile Tebogo and will only be scared if the Motswana speed king makes some technical changes.
Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles is confident that his top 200m rival Letsile Tebogo isn't at his level yet and till the Motswana makes some technical and professional changes, that's when he will start getting scared.
The speedsters are currently the face of men's sprint following their brilliant performances in Paris, where the American powered to the Olympic 100m title clocking a personal best of 9.79s and the Motswana defeated him to the 200m title in a new African Record of 19.46s.
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While Lyles ended his season after the Olympics, Tebogo has participated and won all his five races including four Diamond League meets afterward. He will be gunning to add another title at the Brussels Diamond League final on September 14.
Since Paris, their fierce rivalry originated and there has been an ongoing debate by track fans on who should be the face of athletics, who is the better sprinter, and who has the talent to challenge Usain Bolt's sprint world records.
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21:02 - 04.09.2024
Noah Lyles breaks silence on Olympic final loss to Letsile Tebogo: A failed strategy cost me not COVID
Following Olympic final loss to Letsile Tebogo, Noah Lyles has finally opened up how a failed strategy and not listening to his girlfriend Junelle Bromfield cost him not COVID.
In a podcast interview with former American speedster Walter Dix, Lyles shared his sentiments on Tebogo's talent and thoughts on the Motswana speed king.
"I think he's the real deal, especially in terms of talent but I won't say he's the only one, obviously we have Erriyon (Knighton) as well out here," he said.
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Lyles further revealed that despite Tebogo's special talent, he isn't scared of him taking over his dominance and being the face of athletics in the next few years.
"The day that I get scared is the day they change their form, that's the day that I'll be scared. Because, until I see their form turn into more of a mature professional and aggressive running style, I feel like they will be stuck in chasing their 19.5, 19.49, or chasing me," bragged Lyles, who has a personal best of 19.31s clocked two years ago.
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17:20 - 10.09.2024
Learn from Usain Bolt: Letsile Tebogo urged to race sparingly to avoid damaging his body
New speed king Letsile Tebogo has been advised to follow Usain Bolt's footsteps to avoid a career-damaging effect on his body.
'Because I know exactly where they are right now and it works really well," he continued. "I mean I was at that 19.50 speed and at that time I was still a kid. I mean I didn't and I was studying but I didn't really know how to take it to that next level."
The 27-year-old further stated that he's comfortable at the pace he's right now and till he sees some technical, professional changes in Tebogo and Knighton's running style, they will always be behind him.
"I will know when I'm able to look at their muscles and I'm able to look out they come out of the blocks and I'm able to hold their core and their legs are trailing behind them, that's the day I'll be like alright they got my number, I need to step it up and work more," he concluded.
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