Simbine defends World Athletics qualifying standards

By SABC Sport
26th January 2023

South African sprint ace Akani Simbine has jumped to the defence of World Athletics for their strict qualifying standards ahead of the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary, in August.

The qualifying standard for male athletes is 10:00 seconds, while female athletes are required to run 11.08 seconds.

Simbine could double up in the 100m and 200m to boost his chances of winning his maiden world medal at the senior world championships.

He has consistently dipped under 10 seconds in the past with a personal best of 9.84 seconds in the 100m.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Simbine argued the new standards are achievable with hard work, which in turn will attract more running opportunities.

“I do not think it is harsh on others. It just shows everyone that you need to step up. You cannot be afraid of a qualifying standard. The level of athletics in the 100m has gone up, and we need to move with the levels. And yes, it is going to be cutthroat for some guys.

There are qualifying standards and points to get into the cut, but I think it should be thinking of improving yourself to get better. Sub-10 is hard work, but it puts you in a different class and opens more doors and races.

You can run in diamond leagues, and that is where all athletes want to be”, he said.

In 2022, only Simbine and Gift Leotlela managed to run a sub-10. Clocking 9.94 seconds at the University Sport South African championships at the University of Johannesburg, Leotlea became the sixth South African to do so. He followed in the footsteps of Simbine (9.89 and 9.84), Wayde van Niekerk (9.94), Henricho Bruintjies (9.97), Thando Roto (9.95), and Simon Magakwe (9.98), who retired in 2021.

With a 10:00 flat required to book a spot at the World Championships in Budapest later this year, Simbine managed to secure a fifth place in a world final in the USA in 2022.

Simbine trains with Clarence Munyai and Carina Horn at Germiston Stadium.

The new season starts in March with three Grand Prix Series meetings at the Pildich Stadium in Tshwane, Germiston Stadium in Johannesburg, and the Puk MacArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom.

Simbine and his teammates are yet to confirm their availability for the three events.

However, they confirmed they would attend a training camp in Gemona, Italy, after the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in Potchefstroom in April.

“We are still working on what is happening in February and the SA championships, and the coach (Warner Prinsloo) will let me know. I spend more time training in Gemona than in SA. It’s a place I call home.

I can train and move around and am more comfortable there”, explained Simbine.

Simbine has a score to settle with new rival Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, who beat him in two 100m finals in the African Senior Championships in Mauritius and at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham in 2021.

Simbine surrendered his titles to the Kenyan, but he is on a mission to win them back.

Simbine enjoyed his rivalry with Ivoirian sprinters Arthur Cisse and Ben Youssef Maite, which he won. However, Omanyala poses a different challenge, and Simbine is ready to double his efforts to surpass him.

“I have always been up for the challenge, and it started with my old Ivorian friend and rival (Arthur Cisse).

For now, Ferdinand is there, and he is the next person that I see can make the final I do not want to be the only African to make the final at the World Championships, and it is exciting, but I need to do what I have to do to get back what is mine from him.” Added Simbine.

By: Charles Baloyi