South Africa’s fastest sprinter Akani Simbine narrowly missed out on an Olympic medal yesterday, finishing fourth in the men’s 100m final.
Without the great Usain Bolt, who won the last three 100m finals at the Olympics, contesting the title, Simbine, who went to Tokyo as the second fastest man in the world this year, had as good a chance as any to claim gold and be crowned the fastest man in the world.
But it wasn’t to be, as the South African finished in a time of 9.93s to finish fourth, pipped to the line by Italy’s gold medallist Lamont Marcel Jacobs, American Fred Kerley and Andre de Grasse of Canada.
All three podium finishers ran the races of their lives, posting personal bests of 9.80, 9.84 and 9.89 respectively.
Simbine was the only South African in the final, after compatriots Shaun Maswanganyi and Gift Leotlela were eliminated in the semis.
The result means South Africa still only has one gold medal and two silvers in Japan, after Tatjana Schoenmaker’s triumph on Friday morning.
The 24-year-old 100m breaststroke silver medallist went one better in the 200m final, winning the top prize.
Not only that, but she smashed the world record, setting a new mark of 2:18.95 after setting new Olympic records in both the 100m and 200m last week.
Team SA fans will now be holding thumbs for golden boy Wayde van Nierkerk to bring it home in the 400m.
Van Niekerk is in action today in the 400m semifinal at 1.21pm.
TEAM SA IN TOKYO TODAY
Artistic swimming: Laura Strugnell and Clarissa Johnston – Women’s duet prelims (12.30pm)
Athletics: Wayde van Niekerk – Men’s 400m semifinal (1.21pm), Wenda Nel – Women’s 400m hurdles semifinal (1.45pm)
Water polo: Men’s team v Japan (11.20am)