South Africa’s Akani Simbine finished seventh in a fast Diamond League 100m final in Silesia. Source: Team SA
(The Post News)- Akani Simbine was South Africa’s only representative in the main programme at the Diamond League meeting in Silesia, Poland, but he couldn’t find his top gear in a stacked men’s 100m final.
Simbine, who had been one of the world’s in-form sprinters earlier this season, crossed the line in 10.10 seconds to finish seventh. The race was billed as an Olympic rematch between Jamaican Kishane Thompson and American Noah Lyles, and it didn’t disappoint. Thompson edged Lyles by just 0.03 seconds, stopping the clock at 9.87 to equal the meeting record. Lyles was second in 9.90, as five men dipped under the 10-second barrier.
South Africa’s Marione Fourie also made her return from injury in the women’s 100m hurdles heats but wasn’t able to qualify for the final.
The night in Silesia delivered fireworks beyond the sprints. World stars Karsten Warholm, Faith Kipyegon and Masai Russell all set Diamond League records, while Britain’s Keely Hodgkinson lit up the women’s 800m. In her first race since Olympic gold, she stormed to a world-leading 1:54.74, the ninth-fastest time in history.
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