Simbine scorches to 100m victory
GOAL: RECLAIMS TITLE HE WON AT 2015 NATIONAL CHAMPS
Wayde van Niekerk finishes second with prospect Thando Roto taking the final podium place.
National record holder Akani Simbine stole the show last night, scorching to victory in a competitive men’s 100m final on the opening day of the SA Senior Championships at the Puk McArthur Stadium.
Turning out in front of a packed stadium in cold conditions, Simbine took gold in 9.95 seconds to reclaim the title he won in 2015.
“I’m pretty happy with the time, but I came here to get back the title I lost (to Henricho Bruintjies) last year, so I’m very happy to regain my title,” said Simbine, who was set to compete in the 200m event today. “Job one is done, and tomorrow is the next step.”
While World Championships 200m bronze medallist Anaso Jobodwana was scratched from the race due to cramps, Simbine faced a world-class line-up.
World 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk grabbed second spot in 10.04, and 21-year-old prospect Thando Roto was credited with the same time in third place.
In the women’s 100m final, Carina Horn withdrew ahead of the race after clocking 11.10 in the semifinals, and Alyssa Conley retained her crown in 11.41.
Earlier, in perhaps the best performance of the day outside the sprint events, Olympic silver medallist Sunette Viljoen produced a 63.49m season’s best to win her 12th national title in the women’s javelin throw, launching the implement more than 10m further than her nearest competitor.
“It’s difficult to try and lift yourself when you’re throwing further than the others, but I was consistent with my throws today, so I’m very happy,” Viljoen said.
Meanwhile, Le Roux Hamman stunned seven-time champion LJ van Zyl to win the men’s 400m hurdles final in 49.35 seconds, with Van Zyl holding on to grab silver in 49.52.
Olympic gold medallist Caster Semenya coasted through the 400m heats in 54.05 and the 800m heats in 2:08.06, to book her place in today’s finals.