Akani Simbine doubled up at the Karlstad Grand Prix meeting in Sweden last week. He started by winning the 100 metres in 10.09 seconds and, about an hour later, he went on to win the 200 metres in 20.64 seconds.

“I am pretty happy with my performance. The conditions were certainly not ideal for running fast times. Apart from the cold, there was also a crazy windy. But my main concern before each of my races was not the weather conditions.

“I have a slight niggle in my right hamstring. It is nothing to be concerned about yet, but I could not help being worried when I lined up for a race. In spite of not having the best of starts in the 100 metres, I was able to relax and put together a good race which enabled me to have a strong finish,” the Tuks/HPC athlete said.

“I will admit that I was slightly apprehensive before racing the 200 metres because I was not sure whether my hamstring would hold up till the end. Another reason for concern was that it was the first time since the South African Championships that I competed in the 200 metres. It was quite a relief to come through the race unscathed.”

Simbine said this was his last race before the World Championships (22 -30 August).

“I am going to rest a few days before resuming my training in earnest.”

When asked if he knew whether Athletics South Africa (ASA) was going to select a 4×100 relay team for the Championships, Simbine said he had no idea.

It would be a pity if South Africa did not enter a team because a team consisting of Simbine (9.97s), Henricho Bruintjies (9.97s), Anaso Jobodwana (10.13s), together with one of South Africa’s other good sprinters, would certainly have a realistic chance to reach the final. With a bit of luck the South Africans might even win a medal.