South Africa’s sprint king Akani Simbine suffered his first loss of the season in the men’s 100m on Saturday, finishing fifth at the London Diamond League in a tightly contested race that brought together several of the fastest men in the world.
Simbine, who had been unbeaten in Diamond League races this year and carried impressive momentum after clocking 9.95 seconds in Rabat, crossed the line in 10.11 seconds.
The race was won by Jamaican Oblique Seville, who stunned the crowd at the Olympic Stadium with a blistering 9.86, finishing ahead of Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles, who took second in 10.00.
Tough outing in elite company
Simbine entered the race with a strong pedigree: 12 Diamond League victories and years of experience at the highest level.
But in London, he struggled to match the explosive starts and finishing power of his rivals. Despite a clean break from the blocks, the 30-year-old lacked his usual drive in the final 40 metres and was overtaken by a surging pack.
“It wasn’t my best race,” Simbine said in a post-race interview.
“I felt good coming in, but I didn’t execute the way I needed to in the final stretch. Still, it’s all part of the process building towards the World Championships.”
Eyes still on global podium
While Saturday’s race was a setback, Simbine remains a top medal contender for the upcoming World Athletics Championships.
His consistent sub-10 second form throughout the season – and a track record of delivering when it counts – keep him in the conversation among sprinting’s elite.
His coach, Werner Prinsloo, echoed this sentiment, saying, “We’ve always known London would be tough.
“But Akani’s training, his focus, and his body are all in peak condition. This was just a sharpen-up – not a stumble.”
SA’s sprint hope
Simbine, a finalist in multiple Olympic and World Championship events, remains South Africa’s most accomplished 100m sprinter and a beacon for the next generation of athletes.
Elsewhere, Zakithi Nene, who holds the fastest 400m time in the world this year, had to settle for third behind British duo Charles Dobson, who was a surprise winner in 44.14, with Matthew Hudson-Smith who took second in 44.29.
Nene stopped the clock in 44.29.
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