Sprint King Akani Simbine Throws Down the Gauntlet to Rivals Ahead of National Championship Final

• Akani Simbine is looking to win a sixth SA 100-metre title when he competes in the final
• The sprinter has issued a challenge to his rivals who try and take him on for the 100m title
• Simbine is aiming to run under 10 seconds at the Senior National Track and Field Champs

Akani Simbine isn’t giving up his title of South Africa’s fastest man without a fight.

The sprinter is competing at the SA Senior National Track and Field Championships, confident that no other athlete can beat him in the 100-metre sprint.

Simbine, often called the best sprinter never to win a major championship medal, threw down the gauntlet to the rest of the country’s sprinters, News24 reported.

The 30-year-old boldly stated that the ‘kids’ would have to reach new levels to beat them. Many of his competitors are still in their teens.

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"I know there are kids that are running fast and stuff, but if they want to go at me, they need to be in nine-second shape," he said.

Simbine aims to clock under 10 seconds

Having already set a national record with a run of 9.84 seconds in 2021, Simbine is looking to break the 10-second barrier again at this year’s national champs.

He already clocked 10.28 seconds in the semi-final and 10.07 seconds in the heats.

"If the weather allows, I'll go for it, if it doesn't, then I'll just go for the title," he added.

IOL reported that Simbine will compete in the final on Friday, April 19, at 5 p.m. He will be looking to win a sixth SA 100-metre title.

Simbine disqualified at World Athletics Championship

Sports Brief previously reported how Simbine was disqualified at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest.

The South African was shown a card for a false start ahead of the 100-metre title in the semi-final of the event.

Simbine was the only representative from the country to qualify for the semis but failed to progress any further.