Akani Simbine storms from behind to win eighth Diamond League title
The South African started slower than his main rivals, but he reeled them in over the last 60m
28 April 2024 - 17:03
by David Isaacson
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Akani Simbine in action at the Tokyo Olympics. Picture: GALLO IMAGES/ROGER SEDRES
Akani Simbine stormed back into the international frame in Suzhou near Shanghai on Saturday night as he downed two former world champions to win his eighth Diamond League 100m crown.
The South African was slower out the blocks than his main rivals, but the way he reeled them in one by one over the final 60m showed he still packs plenty of pace in his legs.
Simbine crossed the line in 10.01sec, equalling his effort at the national championships in Pietermaritzburg the previous weekend to edge Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champ, into second spot by three-hundredths of a second.
Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champ, was third in 10.11sec, with Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon fourth and Jamaican Ackeem Blake fifth.
The win will be a huge boost for Simbine after the disappointment of the disqualification for a false start in the semifinals of the 2023 world championships in Budapest.
“I knew the field here would be strong but I just had to replicate what I did last week at the SA Championships,” the 30-year-old said.
“This has built a lot of confidence leading into the Olympic year. This helps build momentum, which I hope to build on further as the season progresses.”
The Paris 2024 Games are three months away and Simbine is still searching for a first major medal.
The 2023 Hungarian showpiece had been his earliest exit at a major competition since 2015, after finishing fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2019 world championships and fifth at the 2016 Rio Games and 2017 and 2022 world championships.
The top four from the 2023 world championships were not in action and so far only gold medallist Noah Lyles has run a 100m this season.
Simbine won his first Diamond League race in 2017 and he has won at least one a year since 2019.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Akani Simbine storms from behind to win eighth Diamond League title
The South African started slower than his main rivals, but he reeled them in over the last 60m
Akani Simbine stormed back into the international frame in Suzhou near Shanghai on Saturday night as he downed two former world champions to win his eighth Diamond League 100m crown.
The South African was slower out the blocks than his main rivals, but the way he reeled them in one by one over the final 60m showed he still packs plenty of pace in his legs.
Simbine crossed the line in 10.01sec, equalling his effort at the national championships in Pietermaritzburg the previous weekend to edge Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champ, into second spot by three-hundredths of a second.
Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champ, was third in 10.11sec, with Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon fourth and Jamaican Ackeem Blake fifth.
The win will be a huge boost for Simbine after the disappointment of the disqualification for a false start in the semifinals of the 2023 world championships in Budapest.
“I knew the field here would be strong but I just had to replicate what I did last week at the SA Championships,” the 30-year-old said.
“This has built a lot of confidence leading into the Olympic year. This helps build momentum, which I hope to build on further as the season progresses.”
The Paris 2024 Games are three months away and Simbine is still searching for a first major medal.
The 2023 Hungarian showpiece had been his earliest exit at a major competition since 2015, after finishing fourth at the Tokyo 2020 Olympics and 2019 world championships and fifth at the 2016 Rio Games and 2017 and 2022 world championships.
The top four from the 2023 world championships were not in action and so far only gold medallist Noah Lyles has run a 100m this season.
Simbine won his first Diamond League race in 2017 and he has won at least one a year since 2019.
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