He was first out of the blocks, and there was no way Akani Simbine was going to allow Asafa Powell to get ahead of him again in his record-breaking 100m run on Monday night.
That was the word from Simbine’s coach, Werner Prinsloo, from Budapest in Hungary on Tuesday after watching his athlete set a new South African 100m record of 9.89, the first time a local athlete has run a legal time in the 9.8s.
National champion Henricho Bruintjies also clocked a 9.89 in Gavardo, Italy in late May, but the time was not recognised as a record as the wind reading was +4.4 metres per second, with the limit at +2.0m/s.
Simbine had a strong wind from behind pushing him as well on Monday at the Gyulai István Memorial meet in Székesfehérvár, about an hour’s drive outside the capital Budapest. But the wind gauge measured +1.9m/s and the time stands. The 22-year-old beat his own previous mark of 9.96, which he ran in Pretoria in March this year.
Prinsloo told Independent Media from Budapest on Tuesday that Simbine’s time was not totally unexpected. After getting a good start, Simbine – running in lane two – kept going and around the 60-metre mark, he started pulling away from former world record-holder Powell.
The 33-year-old Jamaican dipped at the line, but had to settle for second in 9.92, with American Mike Rodgers third in 10.12 and 40-year-old former world champion Kim Collins of St Kitts and Nevis fourth with 10.13.
“We did expect something, but such a time is always a surprise. It’s great to get it,” Prinsloo said of Simbine’s 9.89, which is the fifth fastest time in the world this year.
“Asafa Powell was the favourite. Akani dominated out of the blocks, when he saw at 60m he was with Powell, he relaxed and the training came through for him. He stayed with Powell, remained calm and didn’t get anxious. He executed what he has done in training. I told him to get a good start, then he can keep going.
“He always had the belief and we said that we want to run a 9.8 this year, so it’s not so much of a surprise. It was always part of the planning to get there, and we ensured that he is in good shape.
“He looked very sharp in training on Sunday, looked fast on the track. I just need to keep him focused.”
Simbine was an internet sensation when news broke of the record on Monday night, and he received well wishes from his close friend, 400m world champion Wayde van Niekerk and former SA 100m star Mathew Quinn, amongst others.
The University of Pretoria athlete took to Twitter and Instagram to express his delight with his time and the fans’ support. “Another milestone accomplished and many more to come,” Simbine said.
“Competing at this event was nothing but a blessing and I’m honoured to have competed with guys I looked up to when I was younger. Blessed with 2 new PBs in one day and a National Record (9.89 and 20.16).
“Thanks to everyone for wishing me well on achieving another milestone in my athletics career. I really appreciate all the love and support.”
Simbine’s night wasn’t over yet, though, and he followed up with a new personal best of 20.16 to win the 200m as well. The fact that he was only entered in the 100m for the Olympics is confusing, as he had the second-best time by a South African (20.29) this year – behind Wayde van Niekerk’s 20.02 – before the team was announced last week.
In that regard, Prinsloo told Independent Media that Simbine has submitted an application to the SA Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee to be included in the 200m group, which currently comprises 2015 world championship bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana and Tuks teenagers Clarence Munyai and Gift Leotlela.
Jobodwana has yet to race competitively in 2016, but his national record of 19.87 that he ran in Beijing last August to win the bronze was enough to win selection.
But the personal bests of 18-year-old pair Munyai (20.36) and Leotlela (20.47) trail behind Simbine’s times, and Prinsloo confirmed that his athlete intends to do both the 100m and 200m in Rio.
For now, though, Simbine won’t be participating in any races before the Olympic Games, with the 100m heats set to begin on August 13, with the final the next day, while the 200m heats start on August 16 and the final two days later.
He is on his way back to a training base in Gemona, Italy. As for Simbine’s medal prospects, Prinsloo said that his charge will have to run at least in the 9.8s to have a chance. “We will stay here to train for the next three weeks before Rio,” he said. “Akani was entered into a race in Sweden, but we’ve decided not to take part in it as he will rather train and get ready for Rio.
“He needs to keep the form going to Rio, then he can run a 9.8 and get into a final. Then anything can happen.”
@ashfakmohamed - Independent Media