There’s a certain kind of swagger that only comes when an athlete knows they’ve got it. That rare, undeniable groove where every stride feels effortless and every finish line arrives faster than expected. Right now, Akani Simbine is sprinting with that energy. The kind that turns heads, sparks whispers, and makes rivals sweat before the gun even goes off. And thus, Simbine’s blazing hot form will come as a warning to the likes of Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson.
Fresh off a commanding win at the Atlanta City Games, the South African speedster is no longer just clocking fast times. He’s owning the track. His wind-aided 9.86 may not go into the record books, but it sent a loud message: Simbine has found something special. A week earlier, he posted a world-leading 9.90 in Botswana. Now, with two straight wins on the Diamond League circuit, he’s controlling races with a quiet, confident dominance that’s hard to ignore.
And it hasn’t gone unnoticed by the sport’s most experienced eyes. Former Olympic champion, Justin Gatlin, now analyzing the game from the sidelines, believes Simbine has finally cracked the code. He sees it not just in the times, but in the way the South African carries himself on the track. Relaxed, focused, deliberate. That rhythm, he believes, has come with age, experience, and a new mindset. “Listen, Simbini has finally found that rhythm, and that’s probably come with maturity and the realization that, all right, you are a vet now,” Gatlin said on an episode of Ready Set Go podcast. He further added, “He’s a top dog. He’s a top dog. He runs his times. He knows how to run it, and now he knows how to balance running those times and competing to be able to get those times and compete at the level where I’m still coming across the finish line first.” Gatlin stated that it’s not just about running fast anymore. It’s about knowing when and how to strike. And right now, Simbine is striking with pinpoint precision.
The way he dismantled the Atlanta field told the story. Simbine didn’t get off to the best start, but midway through the race, something clicked. He surged ahead with ease, leaving Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike trailing and the rest of the field battling for second. That sudden gear shift- smooth, powerful, and controlled, epitomized the transformation. He’s managing races. Dictating terms. Finishing strong.
What’s more, Simbine isn’t even chasing. He’s enjoying it. The South African called his Atlanta race “no stress,” describing the experience as fun. That mindset, carefree but not careless, has unlocked another level. For someone who once fought to break through the logjam of elite sprinters, he’s now the one others are watching. Analysts are talking. Predictions are shifting. And rivals, including reigning stars like Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson, may need to start recalibrating their expectations.
Simbine’s season still has major tests ahead, particularly with the World Championships in Tokyo looming. But make no mistake. He’s not sneaking up on anyone anymore. In fact, Simbine has very much taken the spotlight, and he’s earning every moment in it. Well, Gatlin might just be right in his theory. After all, the season openers of both Lyles and Thompson didn’t go as planned.
Akani Simbine continues to shines as rivals stumble clearing the path
In a fortnight that was supposed to highlight the dominance of Olympic medalists, Akani Simbine flipped the script with back-to-back triumphs, while Kishane Thompson fell short and Noah Lyles didn’t even make it to the line.
At the Shanghai/Keqiao Diamond League, Simbine surged past Thompson in a razor-thin finish, clocking 9.98 seconds to the Jamaican’s 9.99. It was a photo finish that silenced any doubts about the South African’s consistency. Simbine, now undefeated in three international 100m races this season, made a statement against Thompson, who came in as the Olympic 100m silver medalist. While Letsile Tebogo settled for third, Thompson’s narrow defeat stole the spotlight. It was like a reminder that the top spot is never guaranteed, even for Olympic podium finishers.
Meanwhile, in Atlanta, the showdown everyone was waiting for fizzled out. Noah Lyles, expected to challenge Simbine, pulled out before the start due to a tight ankle. Speaking to NBC, Lyles said, “We came up [to Atlanta] thinking that anything could happen… [But] it wasn’t getting better and I need to play it safe.” His absence in turn made it easier for Simbine to dominate yet again. And this time with a wind-assisted 9.86 on the straight track. “It’s no pressure. Just run and have fun,” he told NBC. Aiming for the Worlds Simbine further added, “I’m looking forward to going home, training and getting ready for September.” With his world lead of 9.90 still intact, Simbine isn’t just winning races. He’s rather capitalizing on every slip and stumble from his biggest rivals, building toward the World Championships with unshakable momentum.
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