Simbine breaks 26-year-old record
These performances edged his name firmly in the athletic community as a future star and potential for international glory
2014 proved to be a stellar year for local sprinter, Akani Simbine.
This third-year student at the University of Pretoria produced some of the best performances in South Africa and of his athletic career, improving his personal best times on five occasions.
The 20-year-old Simbine was part of the historic 100m final at the South African Championships on April 12 at the LC de Villiers Stadium in Pretoria where he was tipped at the line for second place in a time of 10.02 against Simon Magakwe, who ran 9.98. Both men broke the previous SA record of 10.06 set in 1988.
Akani’s season started on February 22 at Tuks with an impressive time of 10.27 for the 100m and 20.55 for the 200m. He followed this with a 10.25 and 20.50 respectively on March 1 at Pilditch.
At the Athletics Gauteng North provincial championships on April 14-15 he blasted to a leading time of 10.13 in the final. The previous day he placed second in the 200m final in a time of 20.57.
Everything led to the SA Championships where perfect conditions and a fantastic atmosphere led to one of the best 100m finals in many years.
These performances edged his name firmly in the athletic community as a future star and potential for international glory.
Simbine, who trains with coach Werner Prinsloo from Kempton Park Athletic Club at Barnard Stadium, will now compete in Europe in June and July and also has the Commonwealth Games and CAA African Championships to look forward to.
For more information about Kempton Park Athletic Club, call 082-322-4641.
