Inaugural Simbine Classic delivers world-class action at Pilditch Stadium

Akani Simbine was hoisted into the air by a group of Tuks rugby players while learners from Dr WF Nkomo High School chanted his name in celebration, bringing a fitting close to the inaugural SuperSport Simbine Classic at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on April 28.

For Simbine, South Africa’s fastest man over 100m, it was a moment where vision met reality, as the country’s first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting delivered a day of elite track and field action.

The 31-year-old set the tone early, lighting up the track with a blistering 9.98 seconds in his 100m heat – the fastest time of the afternoon.

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However, his charge in the final was cut short by cramps, forcing him to ease off and finish at the back of the field.

Despite the setback, Simbine hailed the event as a major success.

“I’m happy. Today went well. It was a success. We made it out and made it happen,” he said. “The stands were full, we were broadcast live, and we got children to see their dreams come true.”

The meet attracted top international talent, including Andre De Grasse, Sara Kolak and Noah Kibet, with Simbine emphasising that the long-term goal is to elevate the event to World Athletics Gold status.

“We had our athletes competing against international stars – that’s what we want. It was a great day for athletics in South Africa, and now we build to make it bigger and better,” he said.

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The performances on the afternoon lived up to the hype, with local athletes holding their own against world-class opposition in front of a packed grandstand.

Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme brought the curtain down in style, winning the men’s 100m in 10.03 seconds, shortly after American Cambrea Sturgis stormed to victory in the women’s race in 10.92.

Kibet dominated the men’s 800m in 01:44.96, while South African middle-distance standouts Tshepo Tshite and Luan Munnik reignited their rivalry on the international stage.

Tshite timed his finish to perfection, surging ahead on the home straight to win the 3 000m in 07:54.05, with Munnik close behind in 07:54.49.

In the women’s 1 500m, Prudence Sekgodiso produced a standout performance, clocking a personal best of 04:08.93 to beat compatriot Karabo More (04:11.90).

On the field, Kolak underlined her Olympic pedigree, taking the women’s javelin with a throw of 59.23m, ahead of South Africa’s Jana van Schalkwyk (54.77m).

The men’s long jump produced another highlight, with India’s Murali Sreeshankar soaring to victory with a leap of 8.12m. South Africa’s Divan Manuel followed closely with 8.07m, while former world champion Luvo Manyonga finished third with 7.86m.