South African sprinting has a new sports headline act in Shaun Maswanganyi. The 24-year-old speedster is rapidly establishing himself among the world’s fastest men. Maswanganyi recently helped secure a historic silver medal in the 4×100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympic Games, a performance that reignited the nation’s sprinting pride.

His achievements were further recognised at the 2025 South African Sports Awards, where the relay team was honoured with the prestigious Team of the Year accolade. Reflecting on that career-defining Olympic moment, Maswanganyi said it was definitely a surreal moment, just standing on that podium and thinking about all the sacrifices, the trials, and tribulations he has faced leading up to it.

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“To be able to express my joy and gratitude, not only to my teammates, but also to my support system that helped me get there, was unbelievable. It’s definitely one of the best moments of my life, and I’ll cherish it forever.”

Medals tell only part of Maswanganyi’s story. Training in the United States under sprinting legend Carl Lewis, he has already smashed through the sport’s most exclusive barriers, running sub-10 seconds in the 100m and sub-20 seconds in the 200m. “It’s definitely a blessing,” he said of training under Lewis.

“Above everything, I’m always grateful for the wisdom he’s shared and the connections he’s helped me build, not just on the track, but also on a personal and business level. I’ve cherished every moment of learning from him. He’s more than just a coach to me; he’s a mentor, someone I look up to immensely and respect deeply.”

Maswanganyi’s feats have already drawn comparisons to compatriot Akani Simbine, South Africa’s sprint king of the past decade, yet he is determined to carve his own legacy, one built not just on speed, but on resilience and consistency. “Breaking 10 and 20 seconds in the 100m and 200m is one of the most significant milestones in any sprinter’s career, but for me, the next step is about consistency.

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I’ve had injuries and some health issues over the years that affected my performances, but slowly I’m overcoming those challenges. By making healthier choices, and taking better care of my body, I believe I can be more consistent.

“I already train really hard, watch what I eat, and take care of my recovery, but sometimes there are health factors you can’t control, genetics, for example. So, for me, the focus now is being clinical with the day-to-day things, making sure I’m looking after my body and my mind. The mental side is a big part too, and I know that if I get all of that right, the performances will take care of themselves.”

More than a rising track star, Maswanganyi embodies the new generation of South African athletics… Young, ambitious, and global.

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