Akani Simbine beat strong opponents in Europe after long break
Although Akani Simbine was earlier this week only in action for the second time this year, he showed good form and achieved a victory in Europe against strong opposition
Akani Simbine (Adidas-Tuks) made it two out two earlier this week when he won the 100 metres during the World Athletics meeting in Marseille.
The South African record holder clocked a time of 10.19s. Arthur-Gue Cisse (Ivory Coast) finished second in 10.21s with Michael Rodgers (USA) third-place in 10.27s.
The windy conditions made things challenging for the athletes. During the 100m heats as well as final they had to contend with a headwind.
The last time Simbine raced was in March during the Gauteng North Championships. He won the 100m in a time of 9.91s. It is still the third-fastest time of the season. So far Michael Norman (USA) has run 9.86s, and Trayvon Bromell (USA) 9.90s.
It is interesting to note that only four of the more than 2000 athletes who competed in the 100 metres this season have so far managed to dip under ten seconds.
Simbine’s coach, Werner Prinsloo, is not surprised. He predicted that Covid-19 pandemic might impact on international athletics season with slower times being the norm.
From the moment Simbine was allowed to resume his training on the track Prinsloo said that they were in a race against time. It takes about 12 weeks of proper training for Simbine to be at his best. He has not done so yet.
The Adidas-Tuks athlete will be racing next week on Tuesday in Italy (36 Palio Citta della Quercia-meeting) followed by a race on 15 September in Switzerland (Gala dei Castelli-meeting). His last race in Eurpoe will be the Rome Diamond League Meeting (17 September).
Prinsloo emphasised that when Simbine races, the focus is never on any specific time.
“What is important is that get to Akani execute what we have practised to perfection. When he does so, there is a real chance of it being a fast time,” Prinsloo said.
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