H1: South Africa’s Akani Simbine Eyes World Championships After Olympic Relay Silver
Article:
South Africa’s sprint sensation, Akani Simbine, is ready to make another bid to top the podium in the men’s 4x100m relay. After securing an historic Olympic silver at Paris 2024, Simbine will lead the South African team at the World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 2023 this weekend (10-11 May), with the objective of booking a ticket to the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo this September.
Teamwork is Key
“First and foremost, it’s team camaraderie,” says Simbine, when asked about the secret to successful relay running. “If a team actually gets along, then they are able to make it work.”
Simbine, Bradley Nkoana, and Bayanda Walaza, his teammates from the Paris final, will join forces in Guangzhou, an ensemble brimming with experience and speed.
Secrets of a Winning Relay Team
Simbine, now a veteran in the relay scene, emphasized the importance of each team member playing to their strengths. “You can have the fastest guys in the world, but if you don’t have the guys in their best positions running, then it’s not going to work out. It’s about putting together the team according to their strengths, not their egos.”
Success in Paris
In Paris, the team worked wonders. Walaza ran the first leg, Shaun Maswanganyi the second, Nkoana the third, and Simbine, the anchor, to clock an African record of 37.57, securing a silver medal, just 0.07 behind Canada.
The Dawn of a Relay Culture
For Simbine, the medal in Paris was more than personal triumph; it was a testament to the growing relay culture in South Africa. “South Africa went crazy and went nuts for the medal,” he beams. “It’s now a big thing for the sport.”
Debut of the Mixed 4x100m
The mixed 4x100m event debuts in Guangzhou, and while the South African team will be pantry this time, Simbine’s eyes are glued to the action. He muses, “It brings a different taste to athletics. Now, it’s about having the fastest team, not just the fastest men or women.”
Akani Simbine’s Dream Team:
- Leg 1: Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce (JAM)
- Leg 2: Shericka Jackson (JAM)
- Leg 3: Yohan Blake (JAM)
- Leg 4: Akani Simbine (RSA)
Simbine’s Impressive Run
Since Paris, Simbine has been on a roll. He snagged the 60m bronze at the World Indoor Championships and remains unbeaten outdoors, tallying Diamond League wins in Xiamen and Shanghai/Keqiao with remarkable times.
Yet, Simbine remains grounded. “It’s bringing a lot of momentum,” he admits, “but I’m not making getting a medal my sole purpose. It’s about perfecting the craft of running and sprinting.”
Google Event Time: The World Athletics Relays Guangzhou 2023 takes place on 10-11 May 2023.
Did you know?
- Shelly-Ann Fraser-Pryce holds both the 100m and 200m World Records.
- Yohan Blake is a two-time Olympic sprint champion.
- The mixed 4x100m event requires each team to have two men and two women.
Jess Whittington for 247Sports