Coach predicts Simbine will get a top three finish in Zurich
Akani Simbine will close his season on Thursday night on spring day with a 100m race at the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich.
When the Olympic finalist, Akani Simbine (Tuks/HPC), lines up to compete in the 100 metres at the Diamond League Meeting in Zurich on Thursday night, it will be an opportunity for him to reach another milestone.
It will be his last race for the season. At the Diamond League Meeting in Paris he finished second, which was a first for him. His previous best position in a Diamond League race was last year in New York when he finished third.
Simbine is certainly one of only a few local athletes who can claim that he has reached all the goals he set for himself for 2016.
He improved on the South African record on two occasions. The only athletes who were able to run faster times than Simbine’s best time of 9.89s this season, were Justin Gatlin (USA – 9.80s), Usain Bolt (Jamaica – 9.81s), Trayvon Bromell (USA – 9.84s) and Jimmy Vicaut (France – 9.86s).
The Tuks/HPC athlete also became the first South African sprinter since Danie Joubert (in 1932) to qualify for the 100 metres Olympic final. It can truly be said that Simbine has established himself as one of the best sprinters in the world.
Werner Prinsloo (coach) is quietly confident that Simbine is capable of another top finish in Zurich.
“Most of the athletes who competed in Paris are also competing in Zurich, so Akani will know what to expect. I honestly believe that he will finish in the top three, maybe he could even win. It would be great if Akani could run another sub 10-second race, but that will be a bonus. As far as I am concerned tomorrow night will be all about positions.
“Akani said to me earlier this week that all the travelling he had done throughout the season is beginning to catch up with him. It seems to be a case of the spirit still being willing, but the flesh not quite keeping up,” Prinsloo concluded.
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