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With an impressive start to his 2017 season on the domestic front already under his belt, Akani Simbine now turns his focus to the international circuit and his onslaught on a medal at the World Championships in London in August.
After running five sub 10 second races in South Africa and setting the second best time in the world of 9.92 seconds, Simbine really threw down the gauntlet to his rivals when he decimated an incredibly strong field at the first Diamond League race in Doha on 5 May. Despite a slower start, Simbine made short work of former world record holder, Asafa Powell, former World and Olympic champion, Justin Gatlin, and Canada’s Andre De Grasse – who won the bronze medal at the recent Olympics in both the 100m and 200m. These are huge scalps and should be ringing ominous warning bells for his competitors.
“I’m really excited, as I have had a great start to the season. There are obviously a few things that I need to work on, but it seems my race plan is coming together nicely,” says Simbine. “My team and I have worked hard for this and I cannot wait to head off to Europe.”
Simbine will make an appearance in Berlin before traveling to Gemona on 21 May for a solid block of training, before heading West on 1 June to compete in the Boston Street Race on 4 June.
Before his departure it was announced that he will now also be associated with the Mercedes-Benz Cars brand in South Africa.
“Mercedes-Benz is personified by excellence, style, speed and inspiration. This is why we are ecstatic that Akani Simbine, who recently scorched the track in Tshwane when he ran the fastest 100m ever in South Africa, will join the family as a Friend of the Brand,” says Selvin Govender, Marketing Director, Mercedes-Benz Cars South Africa.
His next stop is Kingston, Jamaica, where he will line up in the farewell race of Usain Bolt on 10 June. “For me that is a big race. Obviously the main focus is London and the World Championships, but this will be a race I wouldn’t want to miss. It will take place at Jamaica National stadium. Final starting line has yet to be announced but it is rumoured the likes of Asafa Powell and Johan Blake will be contenders for this race. It is a strong field so I will need to be at my best.”
Simbine will spend a few days in Jamaica training with Bolt, as he did in 2016, before their race on 10 June.
Following this, Simbine will head back to his base in Gemona, Italy, before lining up in Budapest on 4 July at the same meeting that last year saw him defeat Powell for the first time and set the South African Record of 9.89sec, the István Gyulai Memorial.
“That race has special memories for me. The SA record was big, but beating Powell for the first time was the real breakthrough. I always knew I could do it, but now the rest of the sprinters know it too. Maybe I can break the record there again, I know I can go as low 9.8.”
Simbine has already clocked six sub 10 second 100m sprints in 2017, bringing his total tally to 11 sub 10 second races.
“Not only does his inspiring personality, discipline and incredible sportsmanship fit with the Mercedes-Benz ethos, he is also a natural fit with our AMG performance models when he burns up the track as he did in Doha recently, beating a highly-decorated field to start his season with a victory.”
“Akani is definitely on a winning streak and yet he competes with so much humility and appreciation for his supporters. We are proud of our association with him and as he has proved that dynamite comes in small packages, we are going to support him in Europe while he trains at Gemona with a smart* Brabus, truly a performance model as well, to nip around. We wish him the best for this solid block of training and all the upcoming competitions,” concludes Govender.
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