Noah Lyles may be running scared of SA star Akani Simbine at Atlanta City Games as Wayde van Niekerk gets back on track
Akani Simbine SA star Akani Simbine (centre) will run in Atlanta on Saturday. Photo: AFP
Image: AFP
After a lengthy indoor season, a few Diamond League wins and World Relays gold medal, you would think Akani Simbine would take a breather back home.
But instead of enjoying the celebrations with the Team South Africa relay squad at the OR Tambo International Airport in Johannesburg this week, Simbine travelled in another direction.
The 31-year-old SA sprint star left China and headed to the United States to take part in Saturday's adidas Atlanta City Games.
Simbine has been in red-hot form, earning a bronze medal at the 60m indoor world championships in China in March in his first ever campaign in that arena.
Then he ran a 2025 100m world-lead of 9.90 seconds at the Botswana Grand Prix in Gaborone, before winning consecutive Diamond League races in China.
He didn't slow down on his busy start to the year, anchoring SA to the 4x100m gold medal at the World Relays in Guangzhou, China last weekend with an astonishing finish to edge out USA's Brandon Hicklin, who boasts the second-fastest 100m time this year of 9.93.
Clearly Simbine is the man to beat in Atlanta – so does that mean 100m Olympic champion Noah Lyles is running scared of the South African?
Lyles, who pulled off an incredible triple-gold-medal haul at the 2023 world championships in Budapest in the 100m, 200m and 4x100m relay, will also be competing at Piedmont Park – but in the 150m event.
Video Player is loading.
Play Video
Play
Unmute
Current Time
0:00
/
Duration
-:-
Loaded :
0%
Stream Type LIVE
Seek to live, currently behind live
LIVE
Remaining Time
-
0:00
This is a modal window.
Beginning of dialog window. Escape will cancel and close the window.
Text Color White Black Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Background Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Opaque Semi-Transparent Transparent Window Color Black White Red Green Blue Yellow Magenta Cyan
Transparency Transparent Semi-Transparent Opaque
Font Size 50% 75% 100% 125% 150% 175% 200% 300% 400% Text Edge Style None Raised Depressed Uniform Dropshadow Font Family Proportional Sans-Serif Monospace Sans-Serif Proportional Serif Monospace Serif Casual Script Small Caps
Reset
restore all settings to the default values Done
Close Modal Dialog
End of dialog window.
Advertisement
Next
Stay
Close ✕
Ad Loading
He is chasing Usain Bolt's world best time of 14.35, having run 14.41 in last year's corresponding meeting.
But Lyles is seemingly holding his fire for now with regards to Simbine, with the September world championships in Tokyo the main goal for this season.
Nevertheless, Simbine will hope to maintain his unbeaten 100m streak for this year, but will be up against a formidable field in Atlanta.
Jamaican Oblique Seville is at the top of that list, as he boasts a personal best of 9.81 – which is slightly quicker than Simbine's SA record of 9.82.
Seville finished eighth in the fastest-ever 100m Olympic final last year – running 9.91, with Simbine fourth in 9.82.
Other notable competitors in Atlanta are Americans Erriyon Knighton (200m world championship silver medallist in 2023 and bronze in 2022) and Cravont Charleston (100m personal best of 9.90), as well as US-based Nigerian Udodi Onwuzurike (9.92 PB).
The other South African taking part at the Atlanta City Games will be 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk.
The 32-year-old was scheduled to participate at the national championships in Potchefstroom in late April, but withdrew following the birth of his second son.
Now Van Niekerk will hope to finally get his 2025 season going, having returned to South Africa on a fulltime basis after leaving his US-based coach Lance Brauman's training squad.
Van Niekerk will be running in the 200m event, which indicates that the half-lap event will be his main distance in 2025 again, having reached the semi-finals at last year's Paris Olympics.
But he will have to produce some excellent times over the next few months to push for a place in the SA team, with the likes of Sinesipho Dambile (20.01), Bayanda Walaza (20.08), Naeem Jack (20.13) and Abduraghmaan Karriem (20.15) having already breached the 20.16 qualifying mark.
Van Niekerk's fastest time in 2024 was his 20.29 effort in Madrid last June.
Meanwhile, another member of the SA 4x100m relay team that won silver at the Paris Olympics, Shaun Maswanganyi, will be back on the track in Friday's Diamond League meeting in Doha, Qatar.
Maswanganyi will be squaring off with 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo in the half-lap event, and will hope to run the 20.16 world championship qualifying time.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
IOL News
24 minutes ago
- IOL News
Time for Temba Bavuma to silence critics against Australia in WTC final after Proteas batting collapse
TEMBA TIME Temba Bavuma will aim to silence critics with a resilient innings on day two as South Africa battles Australia in the World Test Championship final after a Proteas batting collapse. Picture: Rodger Bosch / AFP The leader of the Proteas attack, however, showed his class with 5/51 as Australia were bowled out shortly after lunch on the opening day. The drug was later confirmed to be cocaine. By the time Rabada made the announcement, he had just about completed his one-month ban and swiftly returned to action for the Gujarat Titans in the Indian Premier League (IPL). Rabada, 30, was at the centre of a controversy the last couple of months, after he announced at the end of April he had tested positive for a banned recreational drug. It was extremely satisfying as Kagiso Rabada provided a starring role in bowling Australia out for 212 on day one of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday, but now after a Proteas batting collapse it's up to Temba Bavuma and his charges to fight back. Bavuma Stands Firm Amid Proteas' Batting Collapse Against Australia's Pace Attack It was then the turn of the Proteas batsmen to drop the hammer when they came into bat, but they only succeeded in bludgeoning their own thumbs as they were reduced to 43/4. That 212 of Australia suddenly seemed like a long way away. Aiden Markram (0), Ryan Rickelton (16), Wiaan Mulder (6) and Tristan Stubbs (2) were all back in the hut in a flash with the Aussie pace attack Mitchell Starc (2/10), Josh Hazlewood (1/10) and Pat Cummins (1/14) running riot. Bavuma, though, held firm coming in at number four and dropped the anchor for his team as he remained not out with 3 from 37 balls. As the Proteas skipper is the most experienced batsman in the Proteas batting lineup, this situation is tailor-made for his resilient character. Bavuma has often played his best knocks when the SA innings is crumbling around him, and on Thursday he will have the chance to see off the new ball, which is 22 overs old. With David Bedingham (8 not out) at the other end, Bavuma will have a partner looking to prove himself against the mighty Australia. Historically, Bavuma has also been criticised for not scoring more hundreds, but he has notched two of his four centuries in the format in the last year. It's the perfect time then, for Bavuma to score possibly the most important big score of his career, and it won't be surprising if he does just that. @Michael_Sherman IOL Sport * The views expressed are not necessarily the views of IOL or Independent Media. ** JOIN THE CONVERSATION: Send us an email with your comments, thoughts or responses to iolletters@ Letters should be a maximum of 500 words, and may be edited for length. Anonymous correspondence will not be published. Submissions should include a contact number and physical address (not for publication).
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Mitchell Starc strikes as Australia fight back in WTC final against Proteas
Markram departs Australia's Mitchell Starc celebrates with teammates after taking the wicket of South Africa's Aiden Markram during day one of the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's cricket ground in London on Wednesday. Photo: Glyn Kirk/AFP Image: Glyn Kirk/AFP Mitchell Starc led Australia's recovery as the defending champions fought back with the ball against the Proteas on the first day of the World Test Championship final at Lord's on Wednesday. Australia were dismissed for just 212 after South Africa captain Temba Bavuma won the toss in overcast, bowler-friendly, conditions, with spearhead quick Kagiso Rabada taking 5-51. But at stumps South Africa had slumped to 43-4 in reply, a deficit of 169 runs. Given the strength of both teams' pace attacks, the key question was always likely to be which side could put enough runs on the scoreboard. Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel. Australia's total certainly looked a lot healthier when left-arm quick Starc had Aiden Markram playing on for a duck before dismissing Ryan Rickelton (16) to leave South Africa floundering at 19-2. Novice number three Wiaan Mulder was reprieved on one when wicketkeeper Alex Carey dropped a sitter off Starc. But he added just five more runs before he was bowled by Australia captain Pat Cummins, having taken 44 balls to make six. It took Bavuma 31 balls to score his first runs, a two off Josh Hazlewood greeted with raucous cheers by South Africa fans at Lord's. But shortly before the close, Hazlewood bowled Tristan Stubbs. David Bedingham ended the day's play with consecutive boundaries off Cummins to be eight not out, with Bavuma unbeaten on three. Rampant Rabada Australia were in desperate trouble in the early overs in London, reduced to 16-2 after losing Usman Khawaja and Cameron Green in a single Rabada over. Khawaja fell for a 20-ball duck in the seventh over, edging Rabada to Bedingham at first slip. Three balls later 12-1 became 16-2 when Green nicked low to second slip, where Markram held a superb diving catch. Rabada had now taken two wickets for four runs in four balls. The 30-year-old, who has more than 300 Test wickets, is playing his first Test after serving a one-month ban for cocaine use earlier this year. Australia have struggled to find an opening partner for Khawaja since David Warner's retirement 17 months ago, with Marnus Labuschagne the latest batsman tried out. The 30-year-old, without a Test century for nearly two years, battled hard for 17 off 56 balls before being dismissed by classic fast-bowling from towering left-armer Marco Jansen. Australia had been in similar trouble in the 2023 final against India across London at the Oval, only for Steve Smith and Travis Head to both score hundreds as they turned the match in their favour. Head, however, could only manage 11 before he glanced Jansen, with Kyle Verreynne holding an excellent diving one-handed catch. But star batsman Smith (66) and all-rounder Beau Webster (72) repaired the damage with a fifth-wicket stand of 79. Yet in what could to be prove a key moment in the match, Webster would have been lbw to Rabada for eight if South Africa had reviewed an original not out decision. Smith went to fifty before falling to part-time spinner Markram when he edged a booming drive and Jansen, at slip, clung on at the third attempt. Australia lost their last five wickets for just 20 runs, with Rabada ending the innings when he bowled Starc. AFP Get your news on the go, click here to join the IOL News WhatsApp channel.
IOL News
12 hours ago
- IOL News
Kagiso Rabada shines as Proteas face tough challenge in WTC Final
PROTEAS celebrate Kagiso Rabada after the wicket of Australia's captain Pat Cummins, unseen, for one run during day one of the ICC World Test Championship final at Lord's. | AFP Zaahier Adams at Lord's LONDON: Kagiso Rabada and Marco Jansen were at the crease when the Proteas unchoked at Centurion in December last year to qualify for a first-ever ICC World Test Championship final. Two big fast fast bowlers embraced passionately in the middle of the wicket after Jansen delightfully steered the winning runs past point. Jansen hauled out the big bear hug on Rabada again at Lord's on a pulsating opening day of the WTC Final on Wednesday. Only this time it was to celebrate Rabada's five-wicket haul and second at The Home of Cricket. But much has happened in between these two fateful days. Rabada, of course, tested positive for a banned substance and was instructed to appear before his comrades to apologise for his actions. It would be fair to say that the redemption is complete now. Coach Shukri Conrad stated at the time: 'All I'm interested in now is KG producing performances that we know he's capable of." Rabada certainly repaid Conrad's trust with a five-star performance that sent Australia cartling for 212. Bristling in from the Nursery End, coupling aggression with accuracy, it made for utterly compelling viewing. And aided by some fabulous catching behind the wicket Rabada finished with 5/51 - etching his name onto the Lord's Honours Board yet again. Jansen (3/49) played his supporting role to perfection, and so did the spin of Keshav Maharaj (1/19) and Aiden Markram that maintained the pressure on the Aussies despite a mid-afternoon fightback from Steve Smith (66) and Beau Webster (72). The only drawback for the Proteas being the indifferent form of surprise selection Lungi Ngidi, who looked every bit the rusty bowler that has only played two Tests in this two-year WTC cycle leading up to the showpiece. But the large South African contingent in the stands were in full voice with chants of 'Ole, Ole, Ole' ringing through St John's Wood. Rarely though are Tests won and lost shortly after tea on the first day. The Proteas' litmus test was always going to be with willow in hand and how their inexperienced batting unit would counter the relentless pressure exerted by the most experienced bowling attack in the world. Mitchell Starc provided the answer before the conclusion of the first over when he forced Aiden Markram to play with an angled bat to a 145km/h length delivery that caught the inside edge and rifled into leg stump. From thereon it was a sustained, aggressive examination with the Proteas top-order digging themselves deeper and deeper into a hole. Ryan Rickelton managed a couple of straight and square drives, but after he pushed at an away-swinger from Starc that took the edge to Usman Khawaja in the slip cordon, the Proteas innings came to a screeching halt. Wiaan Mulder simply never looked comfortable in the critical No 3 role with the allrounder and captain Temba Bavuma adding just eight runs in 72 balls for the third wicket. Mulder's torturous innings eventually came to a merciful close when Pat Cummins went straight through his attempted defence, which was the same fate that befell Tristan Stubbs when Josh Hazlewood rattled his timber to leave the Proteas in the precarious position of 30/4. At the other end captain Temba Bavuma looked considerably less fluent requiring 31 balls to get off the mark. Bavuma will resume with David Bedingham, who struck two boundaries before the close. Jansen and Rabada had started the day starring with the ball. By time the shadows lengthened over Father Time overlooking the famous old ground, and with the Proteas' top-order crumbling like the tea time cake, the pair may yet be required to do another job with the bat when the second day resumes on Thursday. World Test Championship Final, Lord's Stumps, Day 1 Australia: 212 (Webster 72, Smith 66, Rabada 5/51, Jansen 3/39) South Africa: 43/4 (Rickelton 16, Bedingham 8*, Bavuma 3*, Starc 2/10) South Africa trail by 169 runs
