Forget about Jamaica vs. the USA; Africa has risen as the next big sprinting Mecca. You might be wondering how that happened. Well, as it so happens, it is all because of the new face of the African Sprinting Revolution. And his name is Letsile Tebogo. He took the void left by Wayde Van Niekerk and made his way to the top of the racing world. But it seems his dominance is already being challenged. But by whom? Well, as it happens, it is another African. But who is this new challenger?
Well, the new guy is none other than 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza. This might put a hamper in Tebogo’s rise to the top. After all, since he won the gold in the 200m at Paris 2024, many have lauded him as Africa’s next big thing. And the Batswana seemed to have stood on those laurels as he followed his gold with a silver in the relay as well. His achievements have certainly gained widespread attention from around the world.
His historic first-place finish on the event’s podium was for all African runners. But now, just when it seemed like Tebogo had the crown, the South African teen has come to steal his thunder. How, you ask? Well, recently, Bayanda Walaza made headlines by setting a new personal best of 9.99 seconds (0.7 wind) to win the men’s 100m at the AGN Championships in Pretoria! At just 19, he became South Africa’s first junior to break the 10-second barrier and is now the fastest man in the world this year.
9.99s!!
National U20 Record
Bayanda Walaza just dropped a massive PB of 9.99s (0.7) to win the men’s 100m at the AGN Championships in Pretoria!
At just 19, he becomes South Africa’s first junior to break 10 seconds—and the fastest man so far in the world this year! pic.twitter.com/J77LRqYvRe
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) March 15, 2025
This follows his success as the U20 champion and his key role in securing a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the Olympics. With standout performances already under his belt—like a 20.34s in the 200m and a 47.96s in the 400m—Walaza is quickly becoming a name to watch. His recent achievement has track and field fans buzzing, with many praising his rapid rise and impressive consistency!
Walaza and Letsile Tebogo are set to leave the competition in the dust
The track and field community was totally livid at the prospect of Walaza and Letsile competing in the future. One of them even wrote, “He and Tebogo are the future of sprinting!” But while that might be true, they were also already thinking of future matchups. As if to mirror this thought, one of them said, “Imagine him vs. Tebogo in the next Olympics!” Meanwhile, a few others even lauded the South African as “The next 100m Olympic gold medalist.”
But are they wrong? After all, the youngster boasts of some pretty good records on the track. This includes a 6.58 second for the 60m and a 10.13 second personal best for the 100m. But if you thought that’s all, then you’re mistaken. The youngster is pretty good with longer distances as well, with a 20.34 second 200m and 47.96 second 400m. But what about the Batswana?
Well, if we want to bring Tebogo in, we have to mention that he has both an Olympic gold as well as the 2024 World relays gold. That should tell you enough just how good Letsile has been in recent years. With a personal best of 9.86 for 100m, and 19.46 for 200m, he is a force to be reckoned with. But then again, if we go on to continue an established Olympian with an up-and-coming athlete, it might be a bit much.
Maybe we will even see both of them in LA28, fighting to claim the gold medal! But as the flickers of future competition were sparking, one fan chimed in, saying, “Walaza, this kid, I saw him at the Olympics, and I knew he was special.” It’s no surprise. At just 19, Bayanda Walaza has already made it to the Olympics! Remember the team winning silver in the 4x100m relay at the Olympics?
Well, he was right there with his fellow South African Akani Simbine when they clinched the silver. One more fan added, “Africa is coming!” Well, yes! After so long, Africa is on the right track! But we can’t forget that South African sprinting history features numerous legendary sprinters throughout the 1990s. Frankie Fredericks ruled during the 1990s by winning consecutive silver medals in both 100m and 200m events at the ’92 and ’96 Olympics.
Then, Wayde van Niekerk disrupted the sprinting map with his arrival. His Rio 2016 400m world-record accomplishment made him a worldwide icon. And now the African sprinting tradition continues to prosper with the current breakthrough athletes Walaza and Letsile Tebogo. The world’s future appears promising for Africa.
The continent is looking to establish its dominance and break the duopoly of the United States and Jamaica. Who knows? African athletes might establish their most prominent Olympic history ever during the upcoming Games.
The post Letsile Tebogo Faces Threat From New Star as Track and Field Buzzing After 19-Year-Old Sets National Record appeared first on EssentiallySports.