Just two weeks after rewriting the record books in the 60m, South African junior sprint sensation Karabo Letebele delivered a definitive statement in the 100m this weekend, clocking a new personal best of 10.11s at the D P De Villiers Stadium in Sasolburg.
The performance follows his remarkable run at the ACNW League meeting in Potchefstroom, where he ran 6.53s in the 60m dash, shattering both the South African and African U20 records for the event.
The 10.11s mark is the latest indication that Letebele, often tipped as the future of South African sprinting, is rapidly transitioning his explosive start speed into elite-level acceleration over the full 100m distance.
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Letebele, who turned 18 this year, has demonstrated a calculated progression that belies his age. Before this recent 10.11s performance, his personal best stood at 10.17s (set on April 24, 2025, according to World Athletics) and previously 10.19s, a time he used to defeat African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala at an ASA Grand Prix earlier in the season. His previous personal best was 10.45s, set the prior year, illustrating a substantial, linear improvement over the past 12 months.
His primary focus remains on the junior ranks, where he is managed and guided by World Wide Scholarships (WWS), an organization known for nurturing elite African talent for global collegiate and professional careers.
“This is no fluke. It’s a product of a calculated system, a resilient mind, and a world-class team,” says Munya Maraire, CEO of World-Wide Scholarships.
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Letebele, who matriculated from Grey College, is not solely defined by the track. The sprinter has previously admitted to wrestling with the decision of focusing on athletics over football, where he also showed significant talent. He has since committed to track, a decision that is now clearly paying dividends.
The teenager has been earmarked to move to the United States to compete on the grueling collegiate circuit while pursuing a degree in business management. If successful, this move follow the path of other successful South African sprinters, like Olympic relay medalist Shaun Maswanganyi and Neo Mosebi.
