‘There’s more in the tank’ –Simbine on rubbing shoulders with Bolt’s World Record

For years, South African sprinter Akani Simbine has been a consistent finalist, but rarely on the podium.

Now, at 31, the speedster is flipping the script on his career.

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He started his 2025 season with a bang, silencing critics and proving that age is just a number.

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In Botswana last month, he made history by becoming the first man to run sub-10 seconds in the 100m for 11 consecutive seasons, surpassing the previous record of 10 held by none other than legendary sprinter Usain Bolt.

But that was just the beginning.

At the Shanghai Diamond League last weekend, Simbine lit up the track once again, clocking a jaw-dropping 9.82 seconds to win the men’s 100m.

It was a performance that not only affirmed his world-class status but also hinted that his best might still be ahead.

“I am getting into my races; I am winning my races, and that’s all that needs to be done,” Simbine told BBC Sport.

His journey has not been short of heartbreak. He has finished fourth or fifth on the global stage six times, including at two Olympic Games and a World Championship. But he refused to be defined by those narrow misses.

“Having that tag as the nearly man is noise at the end of the day. I do not see it like that. I see it as an action that never gives up trying to be the best. I always show up. I get disappointed, but my family says being disappointed with fourth in the world is a bit crazy, because you are the fourth fastest person alive,” he continued.

This year has already brought breakthrough success.

In March, Simbine earned his first major international individual medal, claiming bronze in the 60m at the World Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China, in 6.53 seconds.

That followed his silver medal run anchoring South Africa’s 4x100m relay team at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Since then, he’s been unbeaten in 100m races in 2025, collecting wins at Diamond League meetings in Xiamen, and Shanghai.

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With the World Championships in Tokyo looming in September, Simbine knows the job is far from done. He is, however, determined to chase greatness.

“There is still more in the tank. And I am not done yet,” he concluded.

He will be in action during the World Athletics Relays in Guangzou, China from Saturday 10 to Sunday 11.