Even the best in the game have their off days, and Saturday in London proved to be just that for South Africa’s top sprinter Akani Simbine.
After a flawless season so far, Simbine’s winning streak came to a halt in a race that gathered some of the fastest men on the planet.
Simbine Slips to Fifth in Star-Studded 100m Race
Simbine, who had previously dominated this year’s Diamond League races—including a 9.95-second performance in Rabat—found himself crossing the line in fifth place at the London Diamond League.
His time? 10.11 seconds. Not terrible by any means, but not enough against the elite company he faced.
The spotlight of the night belonged to Jamaican sprinter Oblique Seville, who set the track on fire with a stunning 9.86-second win.
Right behind him was American Olympic champion Noah Lyles, finishing strong in 10.00 seconds.
A Clean Start, but the Finish Fell Short
Coming into the race, Simbine was riding high with 12 Diamond League wins under his belt and plenty of experience.
But in this high-pressure sprint, the 30-year-old couldn’t quite deliver the explosive finish fans are used to seeing.
He got out of the blocks well, but the final stretch told a different story as a fast-finishing group powered past him.
Reflecting on the race, Simbine admitted, “It wasn’t my best race.
I felt good coming in, but I didn’t execute the way I needed to in the final stretch.
Still, it’s all part of the process building towards the World Championships.”
All Eyes Still on the World Championships
While the loss might sting, Simbine isn’t letting it derail his goals.
With a season filled with sub-10-second runs and a solid record on big stages, he’s still very much a contender for a medal at the World Athletics Championships.
His coach, Werner Prinsloo, also played down the defeat, saying, “We’ve always known London would be tough.
But Akani’s training, his focus, and his body are all in peak condition.
This was just a sharpen-up – not a stumble.”
South Africa’s Sprint Star Still Leads the Charge
Akani Simbine remains the face of South African sprinting.
With multiple Olympic and World Championship finals under his belt, he continues to be the nation’s most decorated 100m sprinter—and a role model for the next generation.
Zakithi Nene Also Tested in the 400m
Elsewhere in London, another rising South African star, Zakithi Nene, took to the track in the men’s 400m.
Coming into the race with the fastest time in the world this season, expectations were high.
But it was British runner Charles Dobson who stole the show, taking first place in a surprising 44.14 seconds.
Fellow Brit Matthew Hudson-Smith grabbed second in 44.29, narrowly edging out Nene, who clocked the same time but had to settle for third on a photo finish.
Still in the Race—Just One Step Back
Whether it’s Simbine’s stumble or Nene’s tight third-place finish, one thing is clear: South African athletics is in the mix and showing serious promise.
With the World Championships on the horizon, these races serve as valuable prep for bigger podiums ahead.