For the first time in history, an Israeli finished first in a major athletics event at an international competition as Blessing Akawasi Afrifah stunned favorite Letsile Tebogo to win the men's 200 meters by a whisker in 19.96 seconds at the world under-20 championships in Colombia on Thursday.
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The 18-year-old is the first Israeli in history to finish the event in under 20 seconds.
"Is it real? Can it be? I'm the world champion!" Afrifah yelled after the race.
Video: Israeli Athletic Association
Tebogo drew comparisons to Usain Bolt when he coasted to victory in the 100m in a junior world record time of 9.91 on Tuesday but the Botswanan's hopes of a sprint double were dashed by Afrifah in a thrilling final.
The 18-year-old, born in Israel to West African parents, stayed close behind Tebogo coming round the bend and a late surge saw him claim the title by six-thousandths of a second in a photo-finish.
What a race 🤯
Blessing Akawasi Afrifah 🇮🇱 surprises @LetsileTebogo2 🇧🇼 in a championship record time of 19.96 and strikes 200m gold for six thousandths of a second!
First 200m race in history in which two U20 athletes break 20 seconds.#WorldAthleticsU20 pic.twitter.com/npPKhjkTGB
— World Athletics (@WorldAthletics) August 5, 2022
"I'm so emotional. I'm out of words," Afrifah told the World Athletics website.
"For a second, I thought 'Okay, I'm second, but I am very happy to be second to Tebogo.' I achieved my dream," Afrifah said after the race.
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"I didn't think I would do so well, but during the run, I realized that I was strong in the picture. I ran against great opponents. In the end, I was tense as I waited for the photo-finish, but I knew I left everything on the track. I dedicate the victory to my family in Tel Aviv, my coach, and all the people of Israel," he said.
Afrifah became the second Israeli to win gold at the athletics championships in the youth category, a year after Yonathan Kapitolnik won the high jump.
i24NEWS contributed to this report.
