World junior champion Bayanda Walaza took another big step forward in his blossoming career on Saturday, dipping under 10 seconds for the first time to win the Gauteng North provincial senior 100m title at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria.
Walaza clocked 9.99 seconds, finishing well clear of silver medallist Gift Leotlela who crossed the line in 10.17.
The 19-year-old rising star clipped 0.04 off the national junior record of 10.03 which was set by Bradley Nkoana in Switzerland in June last year.
In the process, Walaza became the ninth South African athlete to run under 10 seconds, and the first U20 athlete to achieve the feat.
He also climbed to fifth place in the all-time world junior rankings over the 100m distance.
All-time world junior 100m rankings
1 – 9.89 Issamade Asinga (SUR) Sao Paulo, July 2023
2 – 9.91 Letsile Tebogo (BOT) Cali, August 2022
3 – 9.93 Christian Miller (USA) Clermont, April 2024
4 – 9.97 Trayvon Bromell (USA) Eugene, June 2014
5 – 9.99 Bayanda Walaza (RSA) Pretoria, March 2025
5 – 9.99 Bouwahjgie Nkrumie (JAM) Kingston, March 2023
5 – 9.99 Ronal Langa (COL) Sao Paulo, July 2023
8 – 10.00 Trentavis Friday (USA) Eugene, July 2014
9 – 10.01 Darrel Brown (TTO) Paris, August 2023
9 – 10.01 Jeff Demps (USA) Eugene, June 2008
9 – 10.01 Yoshihide Kiryu (JPN) Hiroshima, April 2013
9 – 10.01 Renan Correa (BRA) Bogota, May 2023
* Featured image of Bayanda Walaza by Cecilia van Bers
