For over a decade, Akani Simbine has quietly and consistently scorched the tracks, rewriting sprinting narratives and redefining African excellence in athletics. While Usain Bolt remains a legendary figure in the sprinting world, Simbine’s sustained brilliance over 11 seasons makes a compelling case for his place among the all-time greats. In fact, when consistency and longevity are factored in, Simbine may well be better than Bolt in one crucial aspect: reliability.
Nicknamed the “Sub-10 King,” Simbine has run under 10 seconds in the 100m more than 35 times—a feat that places him among the most consistent sprinters in history. Bolt, for all his world records and Olympic glory, ran sub-10 seconds only 15 times across his career. Simbine’s staggering frequency at hitting this benchmark is not just a statistic; it’s a testament to his unwavering form, discipline, and elite athleticism over 11 uninterrupted seasons.
Simbine burst into global prominence in 2016, when he finished fifth in the Rio Olympics final with a time of 9.94 seconds. Since then, the South African has become a fixture in every major sprint final, often carrying the hopes of an entire continent. His presence in the top tier of world sprinting is not marked by flamboyance or showboating, but by precision and persistence.
What separates Simbine is not only his speed, but his consistency. From 2014 to 2024, he has clocked at least one sub-10 run in nearly every season. This level of sustained excellence is almost unheard of in a sport where injuries, form slumps, and fierce competition often derail even the most promising careers. While Bolt’s career peaked with unparalleled highs, including world records and Olympic titles, his dominance spanned just a few years at the very top. Simbine, in contrast, has maintained elite-level performance season after season without significant drop-offs.
Another key area where Simbine shines is championship composure. While he has not claimed Olympic or World gold, his top-five finishes in multiple global finals prove he belongs with the best. He narrowly missed the podium at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics, finishing fourth in a race that cemented his reputation as one of the sport’s most reliable performers.
Off the track, Simbine’s influence has been equally profound. As the first South African to run sub-10 on home soil, he’s inspired a generation of African sprinters to believe that global success is possible. His leadership has helped elevate South Africa to sprinting prominence, and he’s served as captain for the national team, reflecting his stature beyond the stopwatch.
In comparing Simbine to Bolt, it’s essential to recognize what each symbolizes. Bolt was the showman, the record-breaker, the once-in-a-lifetime phenom. Simbine is the craftsman, the metronome, the quiet storm. In a sport often obsessed with peak performances, Simbine’s enduring excellence reminds us of the beauty of consistency.
As he enters his twelfth season, Simbine shows no signs of slowing down. If anything, the fire still burns. And while the world may continue to marvel at Bolt’s lightning strikes, there’s a strong case that Simbine’s sustained blaze deserves equal—if not greater—admiration.
Leave a Reply