Bayanda Walaza aims for faster times after breaking SA junior record
Bayanda Walaza in action at the SA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom last month. Picture: Cecilia van Bers/Gallo Images
Junior sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza believes he can go even quicker, as he continues to rocket his way up the global sprinting ranks.
Walaza shattered his own South African U20 record on Saturday, winning the men's 100m race at the Boris Hanzekovic Memorial, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting in Zagreb.
He stopped the clock at 9.94 seconds, slicing 0.05 off the national mark of 9.99 which he set in Pretoria in March.
In the process, climbed to fourth place in both the all-time world junior rankings and the all-time SA senior rankings in the short dash.
'We were not expecting this result'
'It was something my coach and I were planning, to come here and show up and show that South Africa is one of the strongest countries, but we were not expecting this result. Maybe 9.98, but it was 9.94,' Walaza told World Athletics.
'To be one of the fastest juniors feels like an honour and makes me want to work more, be strong and win. If I could put myself together, I could be one of the fastest in the world.'
Walaza's performance in Zagreb was the latest in a growing list of achievements by the 19-year-old speedster.
Last year he earned a historic 100m/200m double at the World Athletics U20 Championships and formed part of the SA 4x100m relay team that secured silver at the Paris Olympics.
Earlier this month, he again played a key role for the national 4x100m team who won gold at the World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou.
Rabat Diamond League
Meanwhile, though Walaza was the only South African competing in Zagreb, there will be 10 SA athletes lining up at the Diamond League meeting in Rabat on Sunday night.
They include national 100m record holder Akani Simbine, who will look to extend his series lead in the short dash, as well as 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, who turns out in the 200m sprint in only his second race of the year.
Among the women, world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso will fancy her chances in the women's 800m event, and Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane du Plessis will be eager to put up a fight in the women's javelin throw.
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
The South African
7 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates receive R35 million bid for Relebohile Mofokeng
Orlando Pirates star Relebohile Mofokeng celebrates a goal against Mamelodi Sundowns in the Betway Premiership. Image: Goal Orlando Pirates are now in the spotlight after MLS outfit Minnesota United reportedly submitted a $2-million (around R35 million) bid for Relebohile Mofokeng. The 20-year-old winger has impressed in the Betway Premiership, catching the eyes of scouts abroad with 12 goals and 15 assists last season. Will the Buccaneers accept the bid? ADVERTISEMENT ORLANDO PIRATES STAR RELEBOHILE MOFOKENG TO MINNESOTA UNITED? Orlando Pirates coach backs young striker Relebohile Mofokeng in action for Orlando Pirates in the Betway Premiership. Image: BackpagePix 'Minnesota United submit bid north of $2m for South Africa int'l winger Relebohile Mofokeng to Orlando Pirates. Talks ongoing,' MLS insider Tom Bogert reported. 'Mofokeng, 20, big talent breaking through for club and country. Would be U-22 initiative. MNUFC long-time admirers of Mofokeng,' Bogert added. Kaizer Chiefs coach involved from Tunisia It's not yet clear how Orlando Pirates will respond to the offer, but if Mofokeng were to make the move, it would be a huge step for the winger and a significant moment for the Soweto giants' transfer dealings. SHOULD THE BUCCANEERS ACCEPT THE OFFER? Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 ADVERTISEMENT Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The South African
8 hours ago
- The South African
Orlando Pirates coach backs young striker
Orlando Pirates head coach Abdeslam Ouaddou has explained why he continues to back under-fire striker Boitumelo Radiopane despite growing criticism from fans. The 21-year-old has already featured three times this season across the MTN8 and Betway Premiership but is still waiting for his first goal. His latest appearance came in Saturday's 1-1 draw with Mamelodi Sundowns in the MTN8 semi-final first leg at Orlando Stadium, where he came off the bench and fluffed a late chance to win the game. Kaizer Chiefs coach involved from Tunisia 'These kinds of players, I think, it's easy for a coach because he has a fantastic mentality. He's a well-educated player and a man, respectful,' said Ouaddou. Orlando Pirates forward Boitumelo Radiopane Image via @OrlandoPirates on X 'He is a worker. So, I'm lucky to have such players to train, and he's a professional. It means when we call him for duty, he doesn't have any problem sitting on the bench and coming back to give everything. Kaizer Chiefs star accepts criticism 'And all my players, I'm really, really lucky about all the players that I have in Orlando Pirates. They have a fantastic mentality. It's one of the first dressing rooms that I have seen with such a great mentality of the players,' the French-Moroccan coach concluded. Let us know by leaving a comment below, or send a WhatsApp to 060 011 021 1 Subscribe to The South African website's newsletters and follow us on WhatsApp, Facebook, X and Bluesky for the latest news.
The Citizen
9 hours ago
- The Citizen
Bok star Jannie du Plessis grapples with grief in must-see doccie about son's drowning
Ex-Springbok Jannie du Plessis opens up about losing his son in 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde', which premieres at the Silwerskermfees this week. Nothing is ever the same again after a parent loses a child… In the kykNET Silwerskermfees documentary Tussen Hemel en Aarde (Between Heaven and Earth), former Springbok rugby player Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, open their hearts about the painful subject of the death of their 10-month-old son, Jan Nathaniël, who tragically drowned in November 2021. The shock incident occurred at the Du Plessis' family home in Krugersdorp on the same day the ex-Springbok prop celebrated his 39th birthday. Jannie du Plessis: Springbok career and family man The towering rugby player won 70 caps for the Boks and was part of Jake White's squad that lifted the Rugby World Cup in 2007 alongside his brother, hooker Bismarck du Plessis. Bismarck and Jannie du Plessis celebrate the Springboks' 2007 Rugby World Cup victory against England at the Stade de France in Paris. Picture: Gallo Images Du Plessis – who is a qualified doctor – shares two other children, daughters Rosalie and Hele, with Ronel. Silwerskermfees: 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde' premiere Ahead of the documentary's Silwerskermfees premiere on Thursday, 21 August, at The Rotunda in Cape Town, director Danielle Retief and producer Ursula Botha spoke about what motivated them to tell the story of the Du Plessis' heartbreaking loss. Jannie and Ronel du Plessis' story of pain and loss Former Springbok player Jannie du Plessis' wife, Ronel, in 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde'. Picture: Supplied What made you decide to tell this specific story about the death of Ronel and Jannie du Plessis' son? Botha: I submit concepts to Silwerskermfees and Silwermark every year, and this story truly came to me in a dream, which I believe was from God. I dreamt that the story was being screened at the festival. I already knew Ronel, so it was easy to approach her. I think anyone who has ever had to work through grief will relate to this. The doccie looks at death and how different people grieve in different ways. Retief: When I met Jannie and Ronel for the first time, I knew their story would have an impact. But really, anyone who has ever had to confront mortality will identify with it, because the central question is, 'What is your place between Heaven and Earth?' WATCH: 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde' trailer Revisiting their son's death on camera couldn't have been easy for Jannie and Ronel. How did you earn the family's trust? Botha: Ronel had previously shared the story at women's events, and Jannie had briefly spoken about it with Hannes van Wyk on Kwêla. But this was different, much deeper. I could see them trying to avoid certain memories, but they still answered my questions with courage. Their vulnerability was immense. Jannie du Plessis speaks about the pain of losing their 10-month-old baby during an interview at the family's Krugersdorp home on 13 May 2022. Picture: Gallo Images/Rapport/Elizabeth Sejake With the children, we made sure they felt safe. We spent time with them beforehand and got to know them. They are three incredible souls. Former Springbok prop Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, with their daughters. Picture: X Retief: It was definitely not easy, but our intentions were honest and sincere from the beginning. We weren't there to force anyone to open up. We were there for Jan Nathaniël's story and the impact it may have. I believe the Du Plessis family could sense that, and that's why they spoke to us like friends. Basic human response to death: The burden of grief As filmmakers, it must have been emotionally intense to live and work so closely with such heartbreaking content… Botha: On a personal level, I've already walked a journey with them, but the real challenge came when I started my Silwerskermfees short film mentorship with David Enright. He asked the meaningful 'why' questions and dug deeper than my own motives. Only then did I arrive at my own 'why', which is the basic human response to death: grief. Former Springbok Jannie du Plessis shares some memories of his baby son in the documentary 'Tussen Hemel en Aarde', which premieres at the Silwerskermfees on Thursday. Picture: Supplied It was the archive footage of little Jan Nathaniël that hit me hardest, but on set, I felt a supernatural calm – I was strong and able to help everyone I spoke to, to feel safe. 'Golden hour' at grave of Jannie du Plessis' son Were there any moments on set that particularly moved you? Botha: For me, it was the sunset – the 'golden hour' – at Jan Nathaniël's grave on the farm. Standing in front of the grave, all my bravery disappeared, and I cried for the first time. Retief: The grave and the farm were profound experiences. Not only did the weather cooperate to the minute, but we truly got to know the Du Plessis family. Seeing a family that is so incredibly loving and respectful toward one another was deeply inspiring. Jannie du Plessis as father: Cutting through the Springbok hype Jannie du Plessis and his wife, Ronel, with their son, Jan Nathaniel. Picture: X/Toks van der Linde A documentary like this could easily feel sensationalist, but you manage to avoid that and tell a very honest, sincere story. How did you achieve this? Botha: It was a conscious decision from the start to avoid sensationalism. For instance, we wanted to present Jannie as a father, not as a Springbok. And the focus leaned a bit more towards Ronel. In the end, Jannie's contribution tied everything together beautifully. Retief: As the producer, it was a major priority for me to treat the story with respect. We kept returning to the core questions: 'Who are the people? Who are the parents? How does the grieving process work?' kykNET Silwerskermfees: Tickets and programme The kykNET Silwerskermfees Film Festival runs from 20 to 23 August 2025 at The Rotunda in Camps Bay, Cape Town. Tickets are available from Quicket. NOW READ: 'Moses of Westbury': Former Fast Guns gangster faces demons of the past in 'Jan Bloed' doccie
