Video: Israeli Sprinter Beats ‘Next Usain Bolt’ Letsile Tebogo by a Fraction of a Second to Win U20 200m Title

• Israel's Blessing Akwasi Afrifah piped Letsile Tebogo to the world U20 200m title in Columbia, Cali in an enthralling race
• The 18-year-old sprinter edged his Botswana rival in a sensational race which separated the two rising stars by a fraction of a second
• Afrifah was born and raised in Israel to Ghanaian parents and has been tipped for greater exploits following his remarkable feat, which saw him set a championship record

Blessing Akwasi Afrifah edged Letsile Tebogo, the 100m record-holder at the World Athletics U20 Championships, by just six-thousandths of a second in the finals of the 200 metres race on Friday, August 5.

Tebogo, dubbed the 'next Usain Bolt', went into the finals of the 200m race as the favourite after successfully defending his 100m title in style.

What was supposed to be a crowning moment for the 19-year-old Botswana native to cement his legacy at the World Athletics U20 Championships turned into an agonizing near-miss as Israel's Blessing Akwasi Afrifa snatched the 200m in an epic race.

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Athletics

Tebogo missed out by just six-thousandths of a second, as the two runners showed incredible speed over the 200-metre race.

Blessing Akawasi Afrifah and Letsile Tebogo pushed each other to the limit as both clocked 19.96 but were separated by a fraction of a second.

How did Afrifah pip Tebogo to the 200m title?

Running side by side, Tebogo in lane four and Afrifah in lane five, the pair got off to a strong start.

Tebogo was slightly ahead of his opponent of Ghanaian descent at the bend, but as they powered ahead Afrifah charged down on the Botswana sprint sensation.

Afrifah managed to draw level with his rival and they were evenly matched in the final stretch until the Israeli reached the finish line a fraction ahead of Tebogo.

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Athletics

Letsile Tebogo wins World U20 100m race in Usain Bolt-like style

Earlier, Sports Brief reported that Botswana sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo channelled his inner Usain Bolt as he cruised to World Athletics U20 Championships glory.

The 19-year-old sprinter, who participated in the 100-meter race, defended his crown as the fastest human under the age of 20 in style when he set a stunning record of 9.91 seconds.

Tebogo, whose theatrics and athleticism has drawn comparisons with the legendary Usain Bolt, took a leaf out of the book of the Jamaican when he finished the 100m dash in record time while showboating at the twilight of the race.