Experienced sprinter Akani Simbine secured his first major global individual medal on Friday, charging to third place in the men’s 60m final on the opening day of the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing.
Simbine grabbed the bronze medal in 6.54 seconds, with Jeremiah Azu of Great Britain securing gold in 6.49 and Lachlan Kennedy of Australia earning silver in 6.50.
Making his debut at the World Indoor Championships, Simbine clinched South Africa’s first medal at the international showpiece since 2018 when Luvo Manyonga claimed silver in the long jump in Birmingham.
Earlier on Friday, Simbine had won his first-round heat in 6.57 before taking second place in his semi-final in 6.53, equalling his personal best over the 60m distance.
Sekgodiso progresses to semis
Meanwhile, in the women’s 800m heats, Prudence Sekgodiso won her race in 2:03.89.
She crossed the line alongside Nigist Getachew of Ethiopia, who was just 0.02 off the pace in second position, clocking 2:03.91.
Sekgodiso booked her place in the semi-finals to be held at 6.05am on Saturday morning.
* Featured image of Akani Simbine by Anton Geyser/Sascoc
