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Pre-race focus, curve utilization are aspects that need to be worked on to reach dizzying heights
National 200m champion Samuel Chege has said he has gleaned valuable lessons from Letsile Tebogo's meteoric rise in sprints and wants to follow in his footsteps in order to rule the world in his specialty.
Chege, who revealed a bold strategy by daring that 'I will break the 200m national record' to change the Kenyan narrative by running sub-20 seconds next season, said competing with Tebogo at the KipKeino classic taught him pre-race focus. This, he said, was one of the components that separate world beaters from the rest.
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12:00 - 12.10.2024
Veteran athletics coach on why Kenyans should not be quick to bash athletes' performances
The Kenyan coach has urged Kenyans to avoid quick criticism of athletes' performances on the global stage as he highlighted that most criticisms lack full understanding.
"I was really excited to run with Tebogo at the Kipkeino classic even though I got the worst lane (lane One). Aside from this, there was an element of total focus in his warmup; it's serious business for him. He doesn't entertain sideshows like taking photos before the race so he's an example to be emulated," Chege told Sports Eye.
Tebogo won the gold medal at the 2024 Paris Olympics in the 200m event, with his win earning the first-ever Olympic gold medal for Botswana. His feat saw Botswana declare a national holiday to celebrate the achievement.
Chege also maintained that Tebogo, who became the first athlete from Botswana to win gold in 100m on a global stage at the 2021 World Athletics U-20 Championships in Nairobi, is very good with the curve and that is where he beats his opponents, an aspect he is polishing at the moment during training.
"The reason why he (Tebogo) runs sub-20 is because he utilises the curve very well. He doesn't lose seconds on the curve, so I am also working on the curve."
Tebogo bagged silver at the 2023 World Championships in the 100m and followed it up with a bronze medal in the 200m five days later. The 21-year-old whose personal best in 200m is 19.46 seconds, will rule the world for more than a decade if he remains consistent. "That boy Tebogo! I will get there," Chege reiterated in appreciation of the fast-rising star's achievements.
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