Bayanda Walaza surprised by double junior national record feat

This caps off a remarkable week for the 19-year-old, who on Saturday set a new U20 100m record at the Athletics Gauteng North Provincial Championships, running a 9.99 to become the first male athlete in the world to break 10 seconds in 2025.

Walaza, who clocked 20.08 second in the 200m, has subsequently achieved the qualifying times for the 2025 World Athletics Championships in both events, and says he merely came out to test his strength at UJ after Saturday’s 100m record.

"Surely we came here to run fast, so the only thing we spoke about was to run fast. We were truly shocked about the [9.99] seconds, and we were like, 'You know what, today, let's just see what strength am I left with,'" Walaza told the media.

"Because we believe that 9.99 took away everything, and I was sure that my body was maybe shocked about that [record], but what I did now, we didn't expect it. But thanks to the Lord that he kept me strong through the whole race."

With the World Athletics Championships scheduled for September in Tokyo, Japan, Walaza, under the guidance of African Coach of the Year Thabo Matebedi, is confident he can compete in both the 100m and 200m events.

"Surely I will look over [the races] through this whole year because, at this point, I can't run away from it because I did double qualification – I've already qualified for 200m and 100m," he added.

"But we will see as the year goes on because it's still a long [way], September is too far, so I believe we will find which one is right, or if I'm strong enough – as I believe I'm strong enough – to do the double."

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