by Deji Ogeyingbo
Deji Ogeyingbo provided this Deji’s Doodles about the post-Olympic track and field season.
Deji’s Doodles: Crouser and Tebogo continue their winning streaks after the Olympics as Nugent and Nuguse build on their confidence with wins in Zurich and Zagreb
What a weekend we had in Track and Field! Even after the Paris Olympics, we’ve still had a few Diamond Leagues to keep us company, with a couple of Continental Gold Tours to close the season.
Here are some of the major talking points from last weekend’s action
Ackera Nugent continues to stamp her authority over the women’s 100m hurdles
After her latest victory in the 100m hurdles at the Zagreb meeting, clocking 12.55s, Achera Nugent seems unstoppable. Her consistently delivering top performances have made her a formidable presence since the Olympics. This win further proves her growing ability to compete with the best. She’s showing that, despite setbacks, she’s hungry for more success and is rapidly closing the gap with the world’s elite hurdlers.
One of her most notable recent achievements was setting a meeting record of 12.24s at the Rome Diamond League, a performance that signaled her potential to become one of the sport’s brightest stars. However, Nugent’s journey hasn’t been without its challenges. Her failure to finish at the Paris Olympics was a significant disappointment, but it seems to have fueled her determination to bounce back stronger. That resilience is becoming a hallmark of her career, as she consistently shows the ability to deliver in high-stakes moments.
What stands out about Nugent is not just her athletic prowess but her mental toughness. Her ability to rebound from Olympic heartbreak and build momentum in the months following speaks volumes about her mindset. This maturity and focus are crucial in a sport as unforgiving as hurdling, where a single misstep can be the difference between winning and finishing out of contention.
After failing to make the final of the last two major championships, Nugent needed this streak of wins and performances to get going. Indeed, her season will end on a perfect note. With every race, she is building a reputation not only as a consistent performer but also as a clutch athlete who can deliver when it matters most.
Letsile Tebogo makes it five wins in a row since the Olympics
Letsile Tebogo is the new bride of the Athletics world. Many say he is the new face of sprinting after that Olympic Gold, but the manner of his wins makes people get off their feet. Late comebacks, celebrating before he crosses the line or cheeky interviews, the Motswana is the all-in-one package you expect from a sprinter.
His dazzling 200m victory at the Zurich Diamond League, beating seasoned competitors like Kenny Bednarek, is the latest showcase of his growing dominance. At just 21, Tebogo’s speed and tactical brilliance have set him apart, with his ability to remain undefeated fueling his superstar status.
What makes Tebogo truly special is his ability to entertain. He brings a fun, carefree energy to the track reminiscent of Usain Bolt, keeping fans on the edge of their seats. Whether coming from behind or racing to the front, Tebogo’s grandstand finishes have become his signature, making him a standout figure in the sport.
His blend of natural talent and showmanship makes him a favorite, but his consistent results mark him as a serious contender for all-time greatness. He’s not just winning races; he’s creating moments that fans won’t forget. At some point, though, he has to take a rest. The good thing is the season ends this month.
Nuguse isn’t taking the back seat in the Kerr vs Ingebrigtsen duel
Yared Nuguse’s latest victory against Jakob Ingebrigtsen at the Zurich Diamond League marks a significant moment in his career, demonstrating not just his physical talent but his tactical brilliance.
Like his recent performances at the World Championships and Olympics, Nuguse has proven that he can go toe-to-toe with the world’s best, employing a strategy that rivals even the great Ingebrigtsen. His winning time of 3:29.21 may not have been the fastest, but his ability to execute under pressure was fully displayed.
What stands out in Nuguse’s Zurich performance is his timing and race intelligence. Following closely behind Ingebrigtsen and biding his time, Nuguse seized the opportunity at the perfect moment, kicking off the bend and taking control in the final stretch. His ability to break away when it mattered most mirrors the tactics used by previous champions like Josh Kerr and Jake Wightman. These calculated moves have placed him in the conversation as one of the top tacticians in the 1500m.
Ingebrigtsen, on the other hand, was not at his best, battling an infection in the days leading up to the race. This likely impacted his usual dominance, and though his time of 3:29.52 was intense, it wasn’t enough to fend off Nuguse’s well-timed attack. While some may argue that Ingebrigtsen’s illness detracts from the significance of Nuguse’s win, it’s essential to acknowledge that Nuguse capitalized on the opportunity with precision.
Ultimately, Nuguse’s triumph in Zurich is another win and a clear signal that he is ready to consistently challenge the world’s best. Beating Ingebrigtsen twice in a row is no small feat, and it cements Nuguse’s place among the elite 1500m runners. If he continues to build on his confidence and refine his race strategies, we may witness the rise of one of the subsequent great middle-distance runners in the sport.
Ryan Crouser hates to lose.
Ryan Crouser’s incredible consistency in the Shot sets him apart as one of the greatest in the sport. Five weeks after claiming his third consecutive Olympic title in Paris, he matched his gold-medal-winning throw of 22.90m at the Zagreb Fountains and even improved with a final-round throw of 22.93m. This wasn’t just a flash in the pan; Crouser has been a model of reliability, consistently throwing beyond 22m in significant competitions, proving that his dominance isn’t limited to singular moments of brilliance.
What makes Crouser’s recent performance even more remarkable is that he’s been battling injuries this season. Despite the setbacks, he delivered powerful throws in key meets—22.12m in Silesia, 22.49m in Rome, and 22.66m in Zurich—showing that his “off days” are still far better than most athletes’ best. His ability to maintain form under pressure, especially after injury, is a testament to his skill, training, and mental toughness.
Crouser’s dominance isn’t just about his physical power; it’s about his consistency in an event where minor technical adjustments can drastically change outcomes. His 22.90m throw in Zagreb wasn’t a one-off achievement but part of a trend in which he repeatedly delivers top-tier performances. Competing in a field that saw a fourth-place finisher throw 22.24m, Crouser continues to lead by setting new benchmarks for excellence.
Chebet continues to look flawless.
Beatrice Chebet asserts her dominance in the women’s 5000m and 10,000m, consistently delivering world-class performances. In Zurich, she clocked an impressive 14:09.52, the fastest time this year, despite the taxing solo effort after breaking away early in the race. Her relentless pace shattered the meeting record set by Vivian Cheruiyot in 2011.
Chebet’s form and tactical brilliance have made her nearly unstoppable in the Long-distance events in the last two years. With every race, she’s further establishing herself as one of the premier figures in women’s distance running, a force others struggle to keep up with.
