The crowd came for Kishane Thompson. But by the time the finish line fireworks went off, it was a teenager from South Africa who had left the crowd buzzing. At the Racers Grand Prix in Kingston, a 19-year-old track sensation may have finished behind Thompson. But he left an impression no stopwatch could measure. Despite a fourth-place finish in the men’s 100 meters, the young speedster’s performance drew praise from an unlikely crowd, the Jamaican fans.
And that is quite a tough task to do! So, who are we talking about? Well, it is none other than the U20 champion, Bayanda Walaza. His raw speed, smooth form, and fearless spirit stood out in a race that saw Thompson blitz to a jaw-dropping 9.88 seconds. Walaza ran a commendable 10.06, but what truly won hearts was the way he carried himself before and after the race. Even while gunning for one of Jamaica’s favorite sons, he was embraced for his talent and humility.
The teenager’s presence in Jamaica marked his first time competing on the island, and his demeanor struck a chord with the local audience. Walaza, who refers to himself as a “student of the sport,” made it clear he wasn’t chasing fame or numbers. He was chasing growth. “ It is my first year competing internationally,” he said. “So if I start putting times first, it will kill who I am because I will start running for the times and forget what makes the sport fun,” a sincere Walaza added.
That mindset earned him admiration from track fans who know greatness isn’t just about gold. It’s about grit. Jamaicans have seen generations of sprint kings rise through the ranks, but Walaza’s approach gave them something different to root for. Even while targeting Kishane Thompson, a local hero, Walaza made no effort to hide his respect for the challenge ahead.
Credit: Instagram/@worldathletics
His calm confidence, paired with past achievements, including a World U20 sprint double and a 9.94-second personal best, signaled a star on the rise, not a one-race wonder. He didn’t take the win, but he took something far more meaningful. Recognition. From Kingston to Cape Town, Bayanda Walaza is becoming a name to watch.
And for the fans in Jamaica, who know greatness when they see it, the message was clear: this South African teen isn’t just here to run. He’s here to belong. And the fans were quick to put the crown on his head.
Jamaican audience hail Bayanda Walaza, and for all the right reasons
As soon as the news gained traction, Jamaican fans flocked to social media to give Walaza his flowers. Bayanda Walaza’s grounded mindset and humility stood out more than his 10.06 finish. One fan noted, “If Walaza remains on this path along with this personality, in the next 8 years Walaza will be the face of the sport.” Their words reflected how Jamaican fans respected not just his speed but also his character, qualities reminiscent of legends in the making, not just lane-fillers.
Walaza’s youthful energy, composed demeanor, and respectful attitude earned genuine admiration. When a fan said, “Slowly becoming a fan of this little young guy he seems young & focus”, it captured how he quietly won hearts even while racing against a home favorite. His presence wasn’t loud, but it was sharp and promising—exactly what excites seasoned sprint fans.
With a world U20 sprint double and a 9.94 PB already in hand, Walaza’s fourth-place finish at Racers GP still turned heads. Another track enthusiast stated, “Olympic medalist at 19 years old in track is a flex.” While he hasn’t done that yet, the comment showed belief in his Olympic potential, based on the mix of talent, composure, and global stage readiness he displayed in Kingston.
Walaza’s mechanics, raw and instinctive, stood out on the Jamaican track. That’s why the fan insight, “Walaza definitely has a future. He shouldn’t change his form, he may try to change it and start running slower,” held weight. In a nation that’s watched technique make or break sprinters, fans appreciated his natural rhythm and cautioned against over-coaching his strengths.
That he raced against Kishane Thompson in his backyard and still came out with praise proves Walaza’s impact. One fan summed it up best. They commented, “I’m a big Walaza fan, amazing young talent. Hoping he goes on to do great things for his country.” Jamaican fans saw greatness brewing—and embraced it, even in a rival lane. Thus, with things looking quite rosy for Walaza, it now remains to be seen how the situation pans out for him in the future.
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