South African sprint sensation Akani Simbine is finally getting the global recognition his relentless consistency has earned him. After years of near misses, Simbine has risen to prominence in 2024, claiming a historic World Indoor Championships bronze medal and anchoring South Africa’s 4x100m team to a silver medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics.
Now 31, Simbine enters the season as the world leader over 100m, a testament to his form and fierce determination. Often labeled the ‘nearly man’ of global athletics after three fourth-place finishes at major events including two Olympic Games and one World Championship, Simbine has turned that narrative around with breakthrough performances that speak louder than criticism.
He sees the ‘nearly man’ tag as mere noise, focusing instead on his persistence. “I always show up,” Simbine told BBC Sport Africa. “Being fourth in the world is still being one of the fastest people alive.”
Simbine’s achievements speak for themselves. In addition to becoming the first South African man to medal at a World Indoor Championships, he also made history by becoming the first sprinter to run under 10 seconds in the 100m for 11 consecutive years. This consistency eclipsed the legendary Usain Bolt’s record of 10 seasons, earning Simbine the new title of the ‘Sub-10 King’.
This season, Simbine has won all three of his 100m races, including two Diamond League meets in Xiamen and Keqiao, showing that he is in peak condition. Yet, he remains humble and focused on long-term performance. “This is not my peak yet. June, August, and September are where it all builds up,” he said, referring to the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.
A key component of his current success lies in his strategic use of the indoor season as preparation. By winning bronze in the 60m at the World Indoors in Nanjing, Simbine not only made history but also fine-tuned his race execution in a competitive setting. “We used indoors for training because there were specific things I needed to work on that only racing could fix,” he explained.
As the senior figure in South Africa’s 4x100m relay team, Simbine has embraced his leadership role, offering guidance to younger teammates. “They respect what I say,” he noted, reflecting the trust he has earned through years of international experience.
Simbine’s success also highlights a broader evolution in African sprinting. A growing rivalry with Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion, Letsile Tebogo has energized the continent’s sprinting scene. Though Tebogo has withdrawn from the upcoming World Relays in China, the friendly but fierce competition between the two continues to inspire a new generation of African sprinters. Kenyan star Ferdinand Omanyala also adds to Africa’s rising sprinting profile, marking a significant shift in a region historically associated more with distance running.
As Simbine prepares for the World Championships, his focus remains sharp. He acknowledges that Tokyo 2025 may be his final appearance at the event, but he is not putting a limit on his career just yet. Looking further ahead, Simbine has his sights set on the 2028 Olympics in Los Angeles, possibly his last.
Off the track, Simbine finds balance in entrepreneurship, supporting football clubs Chelsea and Kaizer Chiefs, and spending time with his family. His longevity, he says, is supported by a strong personal and professional support system.
Driven by passion and discipline, Simbine continues to defy expectations and redefine African sprinting on the world stage. With his form, mindset, and experience all aligning, the world should expect even more from the Sub-10 King in the seasons ahead.
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