Akani Simbine Reveals ‘Unfortunate’ Occurrence Prior to Winning 100m in Xiamen

 

Akani Simbine Reveals ‘Unfortunate’ Occurrence Prior to Winning 100m in Xiamen

 

Akani Simbine reigned supreme in Xiamen but it was not all smooth sailing. Find out what happened.

Akani Simbine won the the first Diamond League men’s 100m race of the season in China on April 26.

 

The South African cut the tape in 9.99 seconds at the Egret Stadium, rocketing over the line by finishing well clear of Ferdinand Omanyala who took the runner-up spot in 10.13 while British sprinter Jeremiah Azu completed the podium in 10.17 seconds.

 

Despite this achievement, Simbine, who was South Africa’s flag bearer at the 2024 Olympic Games in Paris, revealed the unusual thing that happened midway the race.

 

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What happened?

Akani Simbine Reveals ‘Unfortunate’ Occurrence Prior to Winning 100m in Xiamen

Akani Simbine. Photo. Imago

“The race felt good. I stumbled a bit after the 60 so I had to catch myself, but what happened to catch the wind while catching the win. Keep going with the momentum I have now going back to the basics,” Simbine told IOL.

 

Simbine, who finally won an Olympic silver medal as part of South Africa’s 4 x100m relay team in Paris, maintained that despite the setback, his focus was clear and he only willing to accomplish his mission.

 

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“I think if the conditions are good and we have a favourable wind to us. If everything is primed for us to run fast, we run fast,” he added.

 

Simbine, 31, reiterated that his win was priceless considering that he had to dig dip to sail to victory.

 

“I’m happy with putting the race together as I said before and getting the win.”

 

Simbine will remain in China for next Saturday’s second Diamond League meeting in Shanghai.

 

Akani Simbine achievements

Akani Simbine Reveals ‘Unfortunate’ Occurrence Prior to Winning 100m in Xiamen

Akani Simbine

Simbine is a three-time African Champion. He anchored South Africa to gold at the 2021 World Relays. Simbine has finished inside the top 5 in the last four major championship 100m races, including 4th at the 2019 World Championships and 2020 Summer Olympics missing out on the bronze medal to Canadian sprinter Andre De Grasse.