Tebogo smashes world record, beats Johnson and Bolt’s previous times

Botswana sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo has set a new world record after obliterating the field at the Simbine Curro Classic to beat legendary Michael Johnson and Usain Bolt’s previous times.

Botswana sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo has smashed the world 300m record following an incredible run at the Simbine Curro Classic in South Africa on Saturday.

Tebogo ran 30.71, bettering South African Wayde van Niekerk's mark of 30.81 set in Ostrava, Czech Republic in 2017.

In what was a world lead and his personal best over the distance, the 20-year-old obliterated the field to take a giant lead, leaving a big gap between him and the chasing pack as he sprinted to the finish line.

The world 100m silver medallist did not just break the seven-year world record but his time was faster than that of American great Michael Johnson, who clocked 30.85 at the same venue in 2000, and Jamaican sprint legend Usain Bolt, who timed 30.97 in 2010.

Tebogo’s heroics at the Pilditch Stadium, Pretoria show how he is well prepared for the 2024 season with next month’s World Indoor Championships in Glasgow, Scotland the major event coming up.

The world 200m bronze medallist had an impressive 2023 season when he became the first African to win a medal at the World Championships in 100m and also the first from his country to achieve such a feat.

Tebogo is hoping to go one better this year when he hopes to become the first Botswanan runner to win an Olympic gold during the Paris 2024 Games in France.