Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo has shared his perspective on the dramatic disqualification that ended his 100m journey at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. Despite the disappointment, the young sprinter says simply reaching the final was already a victory, given the struggles he endured throughout a challenging, injury-plagued season.
Tebogo was disqualified for a false start just moments before the highly anticipated men’s 100m final. He accepted the ruling calmly, walking off the track without protest, even though deep down he knew how much the race meant to him. For Tebogo, maintaining composure was important, as he did not want to delay the competition or cast shadows over his rivals’ preparations.
The 20-year-old had shown remarkable form leading into the final. He cruised through his heat in 10.07 seconds and clocked 9.94 in the semifinal, proving that he was still among the best despite limited racing opportunities earlier in the year. That performance, he admits, gave him reassurance that his body had recovered well enough to compete at the highest level.
Reflecting on the incident, Tebogo explained that making the final itself felt like a major achievement. The season had been “rocky,” with repeated setbacks, but the chance to stand alongside the world’s top sprinters in the championship final reminded him that he still belongs at the very top of sprinting.
Tebogo revealed that injuries have been a constant battle this year, some of which were made public while others were kept private within his training camp. The goal was always to manage them quietly, focus on recovery, and return stronger without drawing unnecessary attention to the setbacks.
The disqualification, instead of discouraging him, has motivated Tebogo to turn his full attention to the 200m—his signature event. The reigning Olympic champion is confident that he can replicate the execution that brought him gold in Paris last year. Running under 10 seconds in the 100m was proof that his fitness is back, and he believes the longer sprint offers him the perfect opportunity to showcase his true form.
Tebogo will line up for the 200m heats on September 17, determined to put the heartbreak of the 100m behind him and chase another moment of glory.
