South African sprint star Akani Simbine delivered a powerful performance at the 2025 adidas Atlanta City Games, clocking an impressive 9.86 seconds to win the men’s 100m. The event, held in the heart of downtown Atlanta, drew top global sprinters and thousands of enthusiastic fans, but it was Simbine who stole the show with his fastest time since 2021.
Simbine, known for his explosive starts and consistency in the sub-10 range, looked sharp from the blocks and never let up. The 30-year-old surged ahead of a stacked field that included American sprinters Fred Kerley and Trayvon Bromell, as well as Jamaican talent Oblique Seville. Despite the high-caliber competition, Simbine maintained his composure and held off a late push from Kerley, who finished second in 9.92 seconds.
The time of 9.86 places Simbine among the top performances of the 2025 season and signals a strong return to form as he eyes the upcoming World Athletics Championships. It also ties his personal best, which he first set in July 2021 in Hungary. More importantly, the performance reaffirms Simbine’s status as one of the world’s elite sprinters, capable of challenging for medals on the global stage.
“It feels amazing to run 9.86 again,” Simbine said after the race. “I’ve been training hard with my team, focusing on the small details, and today it all came together. Atlanta has great energy, and I really fed off the crowd.”
The adidas Atlanta City Games is part of the growing trend of street athletics meets, where temporary tracks are installed in city centers to bring track and field closer to fans. The vibrant setting, lined with spectators, created an electric atmosphere that seemed to elevate the athletes’ performances. Simbine’s run was undoubtedly the highlight of the day and was met with roaring applause as he crossed the finish line.
Track analysts were quick to praise the run, noting his flawless technique and controlled acceleration phase. “Simbine was near-perfect today,” said former Olympic champion and commentator Michael Johnson. “He’s always been a technician, and when he’s in this kind of form, he’s a real threat.”
The victory gives Simbine a confidence boost heading into the rest of the outdoor season. With the World Championships in Tokyo just a few months away, he is peaking at the right time. South African fans will be hopeful that he can finally secure a major global medal, something that has narrowly eluded him in past championships, where he has finished just outside the podium on several occasions.
For now, Simbine’s focus remains on maintaining his fitness and sharpening his performance. But if Atlanta was any indication, he’s firmly back in the conversation among the world’s best. With a blistering 9.86 on the books, 2025 might just be the year that Akani Simbine achieves the global glory he’s long been chasing.
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