Akani Simbine leads the charge on day eight of Paris Olympics

Medal contender Akani Simbine kept his podium hopes alive on Saturday, coasting through the first round of the men’s 100m sprint at the Olympic Games in Paris.

Simbine, who was in the top five but missed out on a medal at the last two editions of the Olympics, won his heat in 10.03 seconds, booking his place in the semifinals to be held on Sunday night.

“I’m happy to be here and it’s the first time on this track for me and I’m looking forward to tomorrow,” Simbine said after his race.

He was set to be joined in the penultimate round by Shaun Maswanganyi, who finished third in his heat in 10.06, and Benjamin Richardson, who was fourth in his heat in 10.06.

Other events

Later on day eight of the Paris Games, Tshepo Tshite finished fourth in his heat in the men’s 1 500m repechage round in 3:35.35, missing out on a spot in the final by 0.03, while countryman Ryan Mphahlele was 11th in his repechage race in 3:36.64.

Meanwhile, in other events, the SA women’s hockey team lost 1-0 to the United States in their last pool match, ending their Olympic campaign without a win.

Road cyclist Ryan Gibbons ended 69th in the men’s race, nearly 20 minutes off the pace.

Single sculls rower Paige Badenhorst finished second in the women’s C final in 7:27.76, after missing out on the medal battle which was contested in the A final.

On the golf course, Christiaan Bezuidenhout fired a 64 in the third round, joining compatriot Erik van Rooyen (69) on eight-under par.

Bezuidenhout and Van Rooyen were six shots off the lead heading into the fourth and final round.