200m: the 5 fastest African athletes of all time
Letsile Tebogo has broken the African 200m record. Discover the ranking of the 5 fastest African athletes in history.
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In Letsile Tebogo, Africa may have its future first men's 200m Olympic champion. Twice, the greatest African sprinter in history, Franky Fredericks, came close. The Namibian won Olympic 200m silver in Barcelona in 1992 and in Atlanta in 1996. In the American city, he clocked a stunning 19s68, finishing second behind Michael Johnson (19s32). That time therefore stood as the best African mark in history over the half-lap for 27 years. It fell on Sunday 23 July 2023 at the London Diamond League, beaten by the 20-year-old Botswanan sprinter.
Letsile Tebogo, king at 20
Born on 7 June 2003 in Gaborone, Letsile Tebogo is without doubt the future superstar of African athletics. He is blazing a trail and rewriting history every time he runs. African senior champion and two-time world junior 200m silver medallist at 19, the Botswanan became the fastest African in history over the distance on Sunday with his 19s50. He thus pushes Francky Frédericks' 19s68 down to 2nd place. In 3rd place on the list of the fastest African times in history is South African Clarence Munyai. In 2018, aged just 20, he came close to Fredericks' record with a 19s69.
Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike just as remarkable
Nigerians Divine Oduduru (19s73 in 2019) and Udodi Chudi Onwuzurike (19s76 in June 2023) are in 4th and 5th place. While the former was suspended for doping earlier this year, the latter, who has just turned 20, should be Letsile Tebogo's main rival in the years ahead. Africa can't wait to see them go head to head on the world's biggest stages.
I AM LETSILE TEBOGO 🇧🇼 https://t.co/fBcNnYBKNj
— Letsile Tebogo (@tebogo_letsile_) July 23, 2023