American sprinter Noah Lyles captured the gold medal in the men’s 200 m at the 2025 World Athletics Championships, finishing in 19.52 seconds. Botswana’s Lets Tebogo was just outside the podium, placing fourth with a time of 19.65 seconds. The two athletes have a well‑established rivalry, having met repeatedly in recent 200 m races, including the Diamond League finals in Zurich and the Paris Olympics.
After his victory, Lyles addressed Tebogo directly, saying, “Don’t worry about how other people see you… Stop it, just be you.” Lyles meant the comment as a response to Tebogo’s tendency to adopt a more adult persona, which he believes hinders the younger sprinter’s performance. Social‑media reactions were mixed: some fans praised Lyles for urging Tebogo to stay authentic, while others criticized him for speaking out only after winning.
This season, Lyles and Tebogo have clashed several times on the Diamond League circuit—at meetings in Monaco, London, and the Zurich final—providing fans with exciting, high‑level competition. At the World Championships, they also faced each other in the men’s 100 m, where Lyles took bronze and Tebogo was disqualified for a false start.
The rivalry between Lyles and Tebogo is expected to continue, with both athletes ranked among the world’s top sprinters. Their impressive abilities and charismatic personalities promise to keep track‑and‑field fans engaged and eager for their next showdown.
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