Letebele shocks the world at 18!

Johannesburg, South Africa — In a star‑studded competition at the University of Johannesburg, rising sprint sensation Karabo Letebele (@karabo_.letebele) stunned the athletics world once again. The 18‑year‑old blazed through the 60m dash in 6.54 seconds, just 0.01 shy of his African record (6.53s) — an astonishing feat considering this was only the second 60m race of his career.

Letebele’s performance cements his status as the future of South African sprinting. He is now the first sprinter from Team SA to qualify for the World Indoor Senior Championships, matching the time that earned Akani Simbine a bronze medal last year.

Despite weeks of heavy rain in Gauteng and limited track exposure, Letebele’s pristine form shone through, proving his natural talent and resilience.

Adding to the family legacy, Kamo Letebele, Karabo’s younger brother, clocked an impressive 7.07s in the 60m at just 14 years old, signaling that sprinting brilliance runs deep in the Letebele bloodline.

Karabo now embarks on his university visits in the USA, where he will select the right coaching system and institution to nurture his talent. During this trip, he will also compete in the prestigious Early Bird New Balance Indoor Competition, hosted at one of the world’s most iconic facilities.

With the World Junior 60m record of 6.51s within striking distance, the global athletics community is watching closely.

⁠“Karabo is focused, determined, and has a great team around him. We are not in any rush and all the plans are falling in place exactly as we have envisioned. Karabo still has 15 years to run — there is no rush to be a senior athlete even though right now he ranks among the best in the world in all age groups,” said Munya Maraire, CEO of World Wide Scholarships and manager to Letebele.

Follow his journey and witness history in the making:

📲 Instagram: @karabo_.letebele

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