The 2025 track and field season has been nothing short of electrifying, and South Africa’s Akani Simbine has been at the center of it all.
Long considered a consistent force in sprinting, Akani Simbine has now elevated himself into legendary territory as the first man ever to run sub-10 seconds in the 100m for 11 consecutive years.
Simbine’s Historic 11-Year Sub-10 Streak
From a 9.97s run back in 2015 to a searing 9.90s this year at the Botswana Grand Prix, Simbine’s streak is the gold standard of sprinting consistency. Along the way, he clocked memorable times, including his personal best of 9.84s in 2021.
And it wasn’t just about times. In 2025 alone, Akani Simbine claimed a trinity of Diamond League titles, solidifying his place among sprinting’s elite.
World Athletics didn’t miss the moment either, on June 6, 2025, they posted a viral graphic on X (formerly Twitter) that sent the athletics world into a frenzy. A collage of Akani Simbine’s career moments forming the shape of Africa, with the caption “KING OF CONSISTENCY” boldly stamped on it, crowned his achievement.
The post even nodded to his other accolades, a Paris 2024 Olympic silver medal in the 4x100m relay and a World Indoor Championships bronze in the 60m (6.53s). With so much to his name, Akani Simbine has undeniably made his case. But is consistency alone enough to inherit the sub-10 crown?
The Asafa Powell Factor
Jamaican sprinting legend Asafa Powell holds the mind-bending record of 97 sub-10-second 100m races, a total unmatched in the sport’s history.
Powell dominated the early 2000s, casually clocking sub-10s with a regularity that turned what was once a sprinting milestone into his personal routine.
While Powell’s record isn’t about consecutive seasons, the sheer volume of sub-10s stands as a testament to his relentless speed and longevity. No other sprinter, not even Usain Bolt or Justin Gatlin, has come close to threatening that number.
Track Fans Clash Over Who’s King
Fans have taken to social media to passionately argue their sides. Some praise Akani Simbine’s resilience and his ability to remain at the top for over a decade. Others remind the world of Powell’s breathtaking career and the unmatched tally he left behind.
Naturally, the athletics world exploded with opinions. One fan gushed on X,
“Wow, 11 years straight? That’s legendary consistency from the sub-10 king! What an incredible achievement!”
Yet others weren’t having it. A long-time track enthusiast respectfully countered:
“Not taking anything away from Akani’s outstanding performances, but isn’t the title ‘sub-10 king’ already assigned to Asafa for being the only athlete to have the most sub-10 races in history?”
For now, the “Sub-10 King” debate remains one of athletics’ hottest topics. Akani Simbine’s record-breaking consistency is undeniably historic, while Powell’s unmatched volume continues to stand tall in sprinting history.
