DStv Channel 403 Friday, 06 December 2024

Tebogo scorches to Rome Diamond League 100m win

ROME - Botswana's Letsile Tebogo outstripped Christian Coleman to win the 100m in impressive style at the Diamond League meeting in Rome on Friday.

Tebogo, the newly-crowned Olympic 200m champion, clocked 9.87 seconds for the victory, the 21-year-old having eased up and looked over at his rivals well before the finish line.

"This was one of my best 100m races," the Botswanan said. "Today I had a great start and it made me think 'Why did I not have one like this in the Olympic final?'"

Coleman, who failed to make the US team for the Paris Games, came in second in 9.92sec, with Paris bronze medallist Fred Kerley again in third (9.95).

Home favourite Marcell Jacobs, who won a shock gold in the Covid-delayed Tokyo Games in 2021 and came in fifth in Paris, looked to be struggling as he finished ninth and last in 10.20sec.

"Tonight I could not run faster than that," said Jacobs.

"The race was not how I wanted it to be and I also did not want to risk an injury. I am not happy about this result, but it was really great to run here in Rome, in front of this wonderful home crowd."

A high-quality field at the Stadio Olimpico, already host to a memorable European championships in June -- when Jacobs defended his contintental 100m crown, promised a couple of world records in danger.

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