Rising sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza has voiced his frustration after South African record holder Akani Simbine opted to skip the National Championships, choosing instead to focus on the upcoming Diamond League meeting in China.
The 19-year-old sprinter, who blazed to a 10.18-second victory in his heat at Puk McArthur Stadium on Thursday, admitted that Simbine’s absence took away from the prestige of the competition.
Walaza, who recently clocked a stunning 9.99 seconds this season to secure his spot at the World Championships in Tokyo, had been eager to test himself against Simbine, a multiple national champion and one of his biggest inspirations. The young athlete expressed mixed emotions, acknowledging the reality of professional athletics while lamenting the missed opportunity to face the best.
“It’s heartbreaking not to have him here,” Walaza told reporters after his heat.
“We truly wanted to race against him. Even if we win, it won’t feel the same without Akani. You can’t call yourself the South African champion when the best isn’t here.”
The Tshwane University of Technology student emphasized that competing against elite athletes like Simbine is crucial for his development.
“The goal is to beat the best—you have to beat the best to be the best. For him not to be here is frustrating, but we understand how the sport works,” he said.
Walaza faced Simbine last year in KwaZulu-Natal as an 18-year-old, an experience that left a lasting impression. Reflecting on that race, he acknowledged how it shaped his mindset.
“It was an emotional race for me. Being a junior competing against seniors made me realize that in this sport, age is just a number. If Akani were here now, it could have shaped me for the future and allowed me to measure myself against the very best,” he added.
Eyes on the Prize amidst strong competition
Despite his disappointment, Walaza remains focused on securing the national title. He delivered a commanding performance in his heat but remained tight-lipped about his strategy, with the semi-finals and final still to come later in the day. If he succeeds, Walaza will make history as the youngest athlete to claim the South African 100m title.
The Olympic silver medalist confirmed to SABC Sport that both he and his coach, Thabo Matebedi, are fully committed to winning the championship and the bragging rights that come with it.
However, the absence of Simbine doesn’t mean the race will be a walk in the park. Walaza will still face fierce competition from seasoned sprinters such as former 100m champion Gift Leotlela and former 200m specialist Clarence Munyai, both of whom are determined to reclaim their dominance in South African sprinting.
With his sights set on the World Championships later this year, Walaza understands that every race is a stepping stone. While he would have preferred a showdown with Simbine, he remains motivated to prove himself against the best in the country tonight.