Just months ago, the track world buzzed with one of the sport’s most electrifying showdowns in sight: Letsile Tebogo, against the flamboyant Noah Lyles. Lyles is the reigning sprint king, while Tebogo, the young Motswana prodigy, riding on the spectacular 2025 season, was gunning to become the first African sprinter to dethrone him in the 100m. But in a stunning twist, it was Oblique Seville who delivered a stunning performance of the season, clinching gold in 9.86 s at the London Diamond League. Meanwhile, Tebogo’s seventh-place finish in 10.12 seconds shocked analysts and raised eyebrows about his readiness for the impending battle.

All wondering, did this poor showing in London kill the hype around their World Championships clash? Not quite.

Tebogo’s coach, Kebonyemodisa ‘Dose’ Manyepedza, quickly stepped in to clear the air. “I don’t think it’s fatigue or pressure. He won some races prior to London,” he told SportsBoom. “What happened there was more about top-end speed.” According to him, the issue wasn’t mental or physical exhaustion, but a technical lapse in the final stretch. Tebogo had gone out hard but couldn’t sustain the speed when it mattered most, crumbling in the last 20 meters.

So, how does Team Tebogo plan to regroup ahead of his much-anticipated faceoff with Lyles?

Manyepedza detailed a targeted strategy to refine Tebogo’s balance between explosiveness and endurance. “In London, he pushed hard from the start but faded in the last 20 metres. He’s working on perfecting both his start and finish and trying to combine them in future races,” he explained. This refinement is crucial, not just for pride but for podium placement at the World Championships in Tokyo.

To understand the expectations on Tebogo’s shoulders, one only needs to look at his earlier performances. He blazed to a 19.76-second finish in the 200m at the Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, the world’s fastest time in 2025. That wasn’t just a fast run; it was a statement of intent.

Now, with Lyles eyeing redemption after being upset in the same London 100m race by Oblique Seville, both rivals are entering Worlds with points to prove. Will Tebogo’s recalibrated approach and raw speed be enough to derail Lyles’ revenge plot on the grandest stage? Or is Noah simply scripting the ultimate comeback?

Rivalry with Lyles heating up

Well, after London, it’s not just another race anymore; it’s becoming personal. As the countdown to the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo intensifies, the rivalry between Noah Lyles and Letsile Tebogo is grabbing center stage. Lyles, 28, is aiming to replicate his triple-gold dominance from Budapest 2023, setting his sights once again on the 100m, 200m, and 4x100m crowns. But standing in his way is a hungry 21-year-old from Botswana who’s not backing down.

Tebogo’s coach, Kebonyemodisa ‘Dose’ Manyepedza, remains unfazed by the American’s renewed form. In fact, he’s bullish. “He can definitely beat Lyles. I strongly believe he’s better in the 200m,” Manyepedza said. And it’s not just confidence, it’s backed by numbers. Tebogo clocked a world-leading 19.76 seconds in the 200m at the 2024 Prefontaine Classic in Eugene, a time Lyles has yet to top this season.

So, what’s next in this unfolding saga of sprint supremacy?

Top Stories

Cowboys Legend Deion Sanders Announces NFL Boycott After 32 Franchises Disrespect Son Shedeur Sanders

5 Biggest Names to Miss the Cut at WM Phoenix Open 2026

Team USA Overturn Milan Decision to Bring in Ilia Malinin as Team Gold on Stake

Rickie Fowler Admits to Battling Worrying Health Condition Amid Golf Return: ‘On Pain Meds All Year’

Patrick Mahomes’ Dad Faces 10-Year Prison Sentence After Chiefs QB’s Father Reportedly Violated Probation Terms

Multiple PGA Tour Pros Stopped from Playing as WM Phoenix Open Round Is Canceled Over Recurring Problem

Tebogo is now gearing up for the final stretch of the Diamond League season, refining his speed and strategy for what could be the defining moment of his career—a head-to-head with Lyles in Tokyo. With youth on his side and momentum building, this battle could shape the future of men’s sprinting for years to come.

Will the rising star outshine the reigning king under Tokyo’s lights?