World Athletics Championships 2023: Letsile Tebogo`s rise from hyperactive child to 100m silver

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World Athletics Championships 2023: Letsile Tebogo`s rise from hyperactive child to 100m silver

It seems that even when you are a World Championship silver medallist, your mother still says the same embarrassing things as any other mum.

Seratiwa Tebogo is speaking to BBC Sport Africa from Budapest where her son, 20-year-old Letsile Tebogo, surprised many pundits on Sunday by becoming the first African man to win a medal in the 100m at a World Athletics Championships.

Not only that, he is also the first man from Botswana to win a medal of any colour at the event.

``To say I`m proud is an understatement,`` says a beaming Seratiwa.

``It`s more about Africa than Botswana and a young boy putting Africa on the map at such a global level. It`s so joyful and prideful.``

A fast man of few words

The reason many were surprised by Tebogo`s performance in finishing second, behind the USA`s Noah Lyles and ahead of Great Britain`s Zharnel Hughes, was not solely due to his tender years.

He may be the world under-20 champion but this is his first season competing full-time on the senior circuit and the 100m is not even his favourite event, preferring the 200m.

By Tebogo Ishmael
Source: Written By Celestine Karoney & Ian Williams - BBC Sport Africa


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