How 'sub-10 king' Simbine shed his nearly man tag

Yahoo

07-05-2025

Akani Simbine is the first South African man to win a World Indoor medal with bronze at this year's championships [Getty Images]
Having anchored his nation to a relay silver at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games and become the first South African man to win a World Indoor medal in March, Akani Simbine exudes a quiet confidence in his abilities.
As the world leader over 100m this year, the 31-year-old's attitude is understandable.
It marks a shift in mentality for a sprinter who became known as the 'nearly man' of global athletics after missing the podium with three fourth-placed finishes at major championships - twice at the Olympics and once at the World Championships.
"Having that tag as the nearly man, it's noise at the end of the day," Simbine told BBC Sport Africa.
"I don't see it like that, I see it as an action that's never given up on trying to be the best. I always show up.
"I get disappointed, but my family says to be disappointed being fourth in the world is a bit crazy - because you are the fourth fastest person alive."
Although he may have missed out on some medals, Simbine is content with his achievements throughout his career.
"I have literally put myself to the surface and I proved myself to be an elite athlete," he said.
"I don't need a medal to prove that. The medal is just the cherry on top."
Bettering Bolt
Simbine's success with South Africa in the 4x100m relay at the Games last year provided a resounding dismissal of that 'nearly man' label and also served as a reward for the consistency he has displayed over the past decade.
That continued when he clocked 9.90 seconds in Botswana last month and became the first sprinter to run under the 10-second barrier in the 100m for 11 straight years.
His achievement broke all-time great Usain Bolt's record of 10 consecutive sub-10s seasons and brought Simbine a new moniker: the 'Sub-10 King'.
The season may still be in its infancy, but Simbine has triumphed in all three of his outings over 100m this year, including in the opening two Diamond League events in Xiamen and Keqiao.
It is a promising start to a year which includes the World Championships in Tokyo in September.
However, Simbine is not buying into talk of being the man to beat over 100m at this stage.
"I'm getting into my races, I'm winning my races and that's all that needs to be done," the former African record holder said.
"I'm running well for the beginning of the season. This is not like a peak.
"Once I get into June, I've been training well, and I can build up to August and September."
Simbine has won all three of his 100m races so far this year, including two Diamond League victories [Getty Images]
Simbine credits the buzz around his winning streak to a solid foundation from having a "good" campaign indoors.
Foremost among that was picking up a bronze medal in the 60m at the World Indoors in Nanjing and creating a slice of history for his country.
"We were using indoors more of training because there was a thing that we figured out I need to work on, that I can only work on when I am in a race," Simbine explained.
"Setting up myself for the indoors has put me in the position to run what I'm running now."
All of that means that Simbine is a man on form as he leads South Africa's charge in the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, this weekend.
Simbine is the senior most member of his country's 4x100m team at the competition, but is relishing his role as the older statesman.
"I think it helps because I come with the experience of being in the circuit," Simbine says.
"If I say 'Guys, just calm down', the guys would take my word for it.
"They respect what I say and look up to what I say. So I think it does have benefit."
Over 700 athletes will compete in the two-day event, with 74 of them from eight African countries.
A Simbine-Tebogo rivalry
A growing rivalry between Simbine and reigning Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo from Botswana is a sign of Africa's sprinting growth [Getty Images]
Simbine may have been Africa's leading sprinter for a long time, but he now faces stiff competition from younger stars like Botswana's 200m Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo.
The exciting growth of sprinting across the continent has set the scene for a southern African rivalry on the global stage.
"I think that's already started. There is a rivalry between Letsile and I - it's a friendly rivalry," Simbine admits.
"But we are competitors, and one wants to beat the other when it's competition time."
"Ferdinand [Omanyala] is also a big name of sprinting. He's done well for himself and Kenya as well.
"It's really great that we are being noticed as a sprinting continent and it's inspiring more kids to want to be sprinters and not just tap into the distance events."
The Sibine-Tebogo rivalry will not be renewed at the World Relays after the Botswanan withdrew from competing in China.
LA 2028 Olympics?
After the World Relays, Simbine's focus will turn to the World Championships and his bid for a first podium spot at the event.
Simbine will turn 32 on the final day of competition in Japan, but expects to continue lacing up his spikes for years to come.
"I'm not thinking about age," he said.
"I don't think about how long I've been in the game, I just take every year as it comes.
"It's just having and building a really great system around me that is keeping me in the game for so long. And 2028 is the plan, but it might be my last Olympics."
Simbine's relentless pursuit for sprinting success is balanced off the track with hobbies that include supporting Chelsea and Kaizer Chiefs, entrepreneurial pursuits and spending time with his family.
At this stage of his career a passion for his sport is what drives Simbine forward.
"I think the body will decide if it still wants to run fast, then I will definitely stick around," he said.
"I love running, I love travelling.
"I love pushing my body to being fast and being in this space. It's really, really fun."