The chapter finally changed for Sprint Star Akani Simbine who has been consistently reaching global finals but always falling just short of a medal.
The South African sprint star secured his first individual global medal by winning bronze in the men’s 60m final at the 2025 World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China.
Akani Simbine’s patience and persistence have been rewarded after years of near misses in six global championships where he finished in the top five in 100m events but never quite made it onto the podium.
“Never stop believing in yourself. Never stop believing in your dream that you had when you started running. I’ve been an athlete making finals and always placing fourth, just missing out on the medals. But I never gave up, and that’s one thing I did for myself,” he said.
Making his debut at the World Indoor Championships, Akani Simbine won his heat in 6.57 seconds, secured second place in the semifinals with 6.53 seconds, and then clocked 6.54 seconds in the final to take third place.
Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu stormed to victory with a personal best of 6.49 seconds, while Australia’s Lachlan Kennedy finished second in 6.50 seconds.
The bronze medal marks a significant turning point in Simbine’s career, giving him renewed confidence as he prepares for the 2025 World Championships in Tokyo this September.
“To the kids, keep on believing in yourself, keep on seeing the sport as a sport and enjoying it. When you enjoy it, you’ll grow, and that gives you a lot of fun and longevity in the sport.”