In-form sprinter Akani Simbine delivered another superb performance on Saturday, storming to victory in the men’s 100m race at the Adidas City Games in Atlanta.
Simbine won in 9.86 seconds, with the benefit of a +2.3m/s tailwind, finishing well clear of Nigeria’s Udodi Onwuzurike who finished second in 10.05.
Though his time was not considered as a world lead, due to the tailwind, Simbine continued to flaunt his incredible form this year which had already seen him winning two Diamond League races, securing bronze in the 60m final at the World Indoor Championships and leading the SA 4x100m team to gold at the World Athletics Relays.
Meanwhile, Wayde van Niekerk opened his season with a solid performance in the men’s 200m sprint in Atlanta, held on a straight track.
Van Niekerk clocked 20.03 with a +2.2m/s tailwind, with Zharnel Hughes of Great Britain taking the win in 19.55 and Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago grabbing the runner-up spot in 19.63.
Other international results this weekend
Across the globe, in Tokyo on Sunday, national champion Douw Smit took second place in the men’s javelin throw competition at the Seiko Golden Grand Prix.
Smit landed the javelin at 81.68m, less than a metre behind American winner Marc Anthony Minichello (82.36m).
In the women’s javelin throw event, Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane du Plessis settled for third position with a best attempt of 59.51m.
Local favourite Haruka Kitaguchi of Japan secured victory with a 64.16m throw.
On Friday, Shaun Maswanganyi ended seventh in the men’s 200m sprint at the Diamond League meeting in Doha.
Maswanganyi, the only South African in action in Doha, completed the half-lap race in 20.78.
* Featured image of Akani Simbine by Cecilia van Bers
