Akani Simbine is the first South African person to win a world indoor medal with bronze in this year’s championship. [Getty Images]
The Paris anchored his country for a relay silver at the 2024 Olympic Games and became the first South African man to win a world indoor medal in March, Akani Simbine faces a calm confidence in her abilities.
This year, as a world leader over 100 meters, the 31 -year -old attitude is understood.
It symbolizes a change in mindset for a sprinter, known as the ‘almost man’ of global athletics, who remembers the podium with finish finishing three fourth place in the major championship – after recalling the podium – twice in the Olympics and once in the World Championship.
"After the tag almost as a man, it is noise at the end of the day," Simbine told BBC Sport to Africa.
"I do not see it like this, I see it as an action that never tries to be the best. I always show.
"I get frustrated, but my family says that it is a little crazy to stay in the fourth place in the world – because you are the fourth fastest person."
Although he must have missed some medals, Simbine is satisfied with his achievements throughout his career.
"I have really put myself on the surface and I have proved myself an elite athlete," He said.
"I do not need a medal to prove this. The medal is only cherry at the top."
Better bolt
The success of Symbine with South Africa in the 4×100 meter relay in last year’s Games provided a great dismissal of that ‘almost man’ label and also served as a reward for the stability displayed in the last decade.
This continued when he saw 9.90 seconds in Botswana last month and became the first sprinter to run for 11 straight years under a barrier of 10 seconds in 100 meters.
His achievement broke all -time Great Usain Bolt’s record of 10 consecutive sub -10 seasons and brought Simbine a new monkey: ‘Sub -10 King’.
The season may still be in its early stages, but symbin has won all three outings of more than 100 meters this year, including two diamond league events in Xiamen and Kekiao.
This is a promising beginning for a year consisting of the World Championship in Tokyo in September.
However, Symbine is not talking about being a man to defeat more than 100 meters at this stage.
"I am going in my race, I am winning my race and needs to do all this," The former African record holder said.
"I am going well for the start of the season. It is not like a peak.
"Once I arrive in June, I am training well, and I can build by August and September."
Simbine has won all three 100 meters race so far this year, including two diamond league victory. [Getty Images]
Simbine credited a solid foundation for a solid foundation around the line of his victory. "Good" Campaign indoors.
At the forefront of this, in 60 meters, inside the world house, he was winning a bronze medal in 60 meters and was making a piece of history for his country.
"We were using more training indoors because there was one thing that we came to know that I need to work, that I can only work when I am in a race," Simbine explained.
"By installing myself inside the house, I have been put in the position that I am running now."
All this means that Symbine is a person when he leads the charge of South Africa in the World Athletics relay in Guangzhou, China earlier this week.
The Symbine is the highest member of his country’s 4×100 meter team in the competition, but remembering his role as an old politician.
"I think it helps because I come with the experience of being in the circuit," Symbine says.
"If I say ‘Friends, just calm down’, people will take my word for it.
"I respect what I say and I see what I say. So I think it has the benefit."
More than 700 athletes will compete in a two -day program, out of which 74 with eight African countries.
A symbol-tobogo rivalry
A growing rivalry between Symbine and the Olympic 200 meter champion, Latsil from Botswana, is a sign of Africa’s sprinting growth [Getty Images]
Symbine may be a major sprinter of Africa for a long time, but is now facing tough competition from young stars such as Botswana’s 200m Olympic champion Latsil Tabogo.
The exciting development of sprinkling throughout the continent has set a view for a South African rivalry on the global platform.
"I think it has already started. There is a rivalry between Latsile and I – this is a friendly rivalry," Symbine accepts.
"But we are contestants, and want to defeat each other when it is a competition time."
"Ferdinand [Omanyala] Sprinting also has a big name. He has also done well for himself and Kenya.
"It is really great that we are being seen as a sprinting continent and it wants more children to become sprinters and tap not only in distance events."
Sibin-Tabogo rivalry will not be renewed in the world relay after returning from competition in China.
2028 Olympics?
After the world’s relay, Simbine’s focus will turn into the World Championship and the first podium spot in the event.
Symbine will be 32 years old on the last day of the competition in Japan, but it is expected that your spikes will have to continue for the coming years.
"I am not thinking about age," He said.
"I don’t think how long I have been in the game, I take every year because it comes.
"It is just building and building a very spectacular system around me that is keeping me in the game for so long. And there is a 2028 plan, but it can be my last Olympics."
Sprinting is balanced with the track with the tireless pursuit of symbols for success, including supporting Chelsea and Kaiser heads, discovering entrepreneurship and spending time with their family.
In this stage of your career, there is a passion for your game that leads the symbols forward.
"I think the body will decide if it still wants to run fast, then I will definitely stick all around," He said.
"I like to run, I like to travel.
"I like to push my body to faster and stay at this place. It is really, really fun."
