When the 2025 season started, most track fans had only one name circled for the title of fastest man in the world. Yes, Noah Lyles. After all, why wouldn’t they? He was fresh off a gold medal at the Paris 2024 Olympics. He clocked 9.784, leading to what turned out to be the fastest Olympic 100m final ever. Undoubtedly, Lyles looked unstoppable. But fast forward to spring 2025, and guess what? The man with the quickest time this year isn’t Lyles. It’s a 31-year-old who’s been grinding quietly for years.
Akani Simbine! Yep, the South African vet dropped a 9.90 at the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix. And it was into a -1.4 headwind. That’s the kind of time you expect in perfect conditions, not when the wind’s trying to slow you down. Not to mention, Simbine lined up against some of Africa’s biggest sprinting names, including Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala. But he didn’t just win; he owned it. No drama, no stumble, just clean, powerful running from gun to tape that left no doubt who’s got the hottest legs in 2025.
FASTEST 100M IN 2025 SO FAR
The two quickest African athletes of all time battled it out at the FNB Botswana Golden Grand Prix, with Akani Simbine clocking 9.90s (-1.4) ahead of Ferdinand Omanyala in 10.00s!
@WorldAthletics pic.twitter.com/Vrx3Z84jVF
— Owen (@_OwenM_) April 12, 2025
Now, just to put this in perspective, Simbine’s 9.90 is the fastest time in the world this year so far. And while Noah Lyles still holds the top spot in the official World Athletics 100m rankings—thanks to his Olympic gold and consistent podium finishes—Simbine is hot on his heels, sitting just 11 points behind. Lyles has the crown for now, but with Simbine turning back the clock and posting elite times into his 30s.
That said, before Simbine’s performance, the season’s best time was held by Bayanda Walaza, who clocked 9.99 back in March 2025. As for Noah Lyles, he hasn’t opened his 100m campaign yet this season, but once he does, it’s sure to be something worth watching. And when Simbine and Lyles finally line up in the same race? That’s must-watch TV—the kind of showdown you replay just to catch every moment again. Remember when they went stride for stride and the whole stadium was on its feet?
Noah Lyles and Akani Simbine bring out the best in each other
When it comes to the fastest men in the world, Noah Lyles and Akani Simbine are perhaps the only active speedsters who have come close to claiming that throne. After all, we all witnessed Lyles’ greatness last year in the 100m finals when he clinched the gold. But while the American has been quick to claim the title, Simbine ain’t too far behind his counterpart either.
The South African himself recorded a personal best of 9.82 seconds at the Olympics last year. This, in fact, was an improvement from the national best that he set back in 2021. But now don’t think that the contention between these two extends only to the 100m. No, in fact, even in 200m, the two are quite close, with Simbine having a best of 19.95 seconds while Lyles has the American record of 19.31 seconds.
Their head-to-head encounters, particularly in major championships and Diamond League meetings, have been marked by mutual respect and fierce competition. Throughout their track competitions, both sprinters show respect for the athletic abilities they see in each other. Lyles understands the extreme competition levels when he notes that fellow sprinters such as Simbine force him to reach higher levels of performance.
The exceptional speed and achievements of Noah Lyles have earned recognition from Simbine, who believes their competitive relationship drives him toward better athletic advancement. With Simbine gaining momentum and Lyles still holding that top spot in the rankings, you can bet the 2025 World Championships are going to be filled with some serious drama between these two.
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