South African sprinters shine at home and abroad

Akani Simbine flaunted his impressive form in the early stages of the international season at the Diamond League meeting in Xiamen, China on Saturday, while sprinters stole the show back home on the final day of the SA Athletics Championships in Potchefstroom.

Simbine destroyed the men’s 100m field at the first Diamond League event of the year, clocking 9.99 seconds and finishing well clear of Kenyan runner-up Ferdinand Omanyala who crossed the line in 10.13.

Meanwhile, in Potchefstroom, sprinters delivered in spectacular fashion at the national championships.

Zakithi Nene won his third SA 400m title in what was perhaps the performance of the three-day domestic showpiece.

Nene stopped the clock at 44.22, setting a personal best and climbing to second place in the all-time national rankings behind world record holder Wayde van Niekerk. He reclaimed the SA half-lap crown he last secured in 2022.

Behind him, 19-year-old Udeme Okon, who won the world junior title last year, took second position in 44.99 as he dipped under 45 seconds for the first time in his career.

“I wanted to win the title which I haven’t won for the last couple of years, so I’m very chuffed to be able to take it back home,” Nene said after the race.

200m finals

In the men’s 200m final, Sinesipho Dambile reclaimed the SA title he won in 2022, storming home in 20.11 seconds.

He held off challenges from 17-year-old Naeem Jack, who clocked 20.13, and Abduraghmaan Karriem, who was third in 20.15, with all three athletes achieving the qualifying standard of 20.16 for the World Championships in Tokyo later this year.

Junior sensation Bayanda Walaza, who earned silver in the 100m final two days earlier, was disqualified for a false start.

Youth athlete Rume Burger produced a stunning performance in the women’s 200m final, holding off her senior opposition to win gold in 23.59.

Burger, the daughter of former Blitzboks rugby player Philip Burger and former Proteas netball player Marinda Burger, turned 17 in February.

Another 17-year-old athlete, Tumi Ramokgopa, also charged to an impressive victory in the women’s 100m hurdles final in 13.55 in the absence of national record holder Marione Fourie.

Later in the afternoon in China, Fourie finished third in the women’s 100m hurdles race at the Diamond League meeting, clocking 12.62.