For a third consecutive Olympic Games [Rio 2016], [Tokyo 2020], and [Paris 2024], South Africa sprinter – Akani Simbine has finished fourth in the men’s 100m final and had never won an Olympic medal.
But, his medal-less Olympic story rather came into an abrupt halt on Friday [August 09] evening as the Kempton Park [Gauteng] born sprinter blazed through the storm at Stade de France to win silver medal in the men’s 4x100m relay final for South Africa.
Bayanda Walaza got the team off to a good start, clocking 10.41 before handing over to Shaun Maswanganyi in the back straight, who did 9.06 seconds.
19-year-old Bradley Nkoana went around the bend in 9.32 seconds before handing the baton over to the legendary Simbine who ran the final leg perfectly in an incredible 8.78 seconds, taking down four men in the process to finish second in a 37.57 seconds which is the new African record.
By James K. Attaglo Wilson
