Bayanda Walaza: The rising star set to succeed Akani Simbine as South Africa's sprint king
POISED FOR GREATNESS Bayanda Walaza, South Africa's teenage sprint sensation, is poised to succeed Akani Simbine as the nation's sprint king after setting a new SA junior 100m record of 9.94 seconds. Picture: BackpagePix
Image: BackpagePix
The contribution Akani Simbine has made to South African sprinting cannot be questioned, as he has been the flag-bearer for a generation.
Simbine also has the fastest 100m time in the world this year so far, with his 9.90 seconds he clocked in Gaborone, Botswana, on April 12.
The 31-year-old Simbine is also unbeaten in five races now, following his victory in the Diamond League in Rabat on Sunday.
His time in Rabat of 9.95 was well ahead of Kenyan Ferdinand Omanyala (10.05) in second and Fred Kerley (10.07) in third.
Bayanda Walaza Sets New SA Junior Record with 9.94, Poised to Succeed Simbine
Despite his incredible form at his age, Simbine surely can’t remain SA’s top sprinter for much longer, as teenager Bayanda Walaza just keeps getting better.
Walaza turned 19 in February, and despite his ungainly running style, he just keeps producing faster times.
On Saturday, Walaza clocked 9.94 at the Boris Hankezovic Memorial meeting in Zagreb. It’s yet another SA junior record, and he tied the fourth fastest time ever run by a South African.
It’s also the third fastest time in the world this year.
Last year, Walaza was part of the SA men’s 4x100m team which claimed silver at the Paris Olympics. That team was led by Simbine, in what to date has been his only major international medal.
Despite his lack of medals on the biggest stage, the consistency and longevity of Simbine has been phenomenal. Testament to this is the fact that Simbine has run sub-10 in the 100m for the last 11 years in a row - which no other sprinter has ever achieved.
Simbine’s spikes indeed will be big ones to fill, but there’s little doubt that Walaza will be up to the task when that day comes.