Akani Simbine is out to become only the second South African to win gold in the men’s 100m at the Olympic this weekend.
South African Reggie Walker – still the youngest athlete ever to win the event at 19 years, four months and six days – won the men’s 100m event in 1908.
And with Jamaica’s Usain Bolt, who has won the last three gold medals in this event, now retired, Simbine is one of the favourites to druk hard for the top prize.
With the second fastest 100m time (9.84s) of the year to date, Simbine’s biggest challenge will come from America’s Trayvon Bromell, who has a world-leading time of 9.77s, and his US teammates Kenny Bednarek, Fred Kerley and Ronnie Baker.
With fellow South Africans Gift Leotlela – best of 9.94s this year – and Shaun Maswanganyi (10.04s) in the field, Simbine tells the Sowetan Live: “I know that we can be very dangerous if we run a clean race and it’s just looking to running the best race that we can.”
TEAM SA IN TOKYO THIS WEEKEND
Today
(Events after 6am)
Athletics
Dominique Scott – Women’s 5km heat 2 (12.26pm)
Diving
Julia Vincent and Micaela Bouter – Women’s 3m springboard (8am)
Equestrian
Victoria Scott-Legendre – Dressage session 2 (10.30am)
Swimming
Brad Tandy – Men’s 50m freestyle (12.20pm)
Water polo
SA Women v Netherlands (7am)
Tomorrow
Athletics
Wenda Nel – Women’s 400m hurdles heats (2am-2.32am)
Gift Leotlela, Shaun Maswanganyi, Akani Simbine – Men’s 100m prelims (4.35am-4.59am)
Cheswill Johnson, Ruswahl Samaai – Men’s long jump qualifiers (12.10pm)
Gift Leotlela, Shaun Maswanganyi, Akani Simbine – Men’s 100m heats (12.45pm-1.33pm)
Equestrian
Victoria Scott-Legendre – Dressage session 3 (1.30am)
Hockey
SA Women v India (5.15am)
Sailing
Leo Davis – Finn race 7 and 8 (5.05am)
Benji Daniel and Alex Burger – 49er (5.05am)
Water polo
SA Men v Greece (12.50pm)
Sunday
Athletics
Zakithi Nene, Thapelo Phora and Wayde van Niekerk – Men’s 400m heats (3.45am to 4.25am)
Men’s 100 semifinals (12.15pm & 12.31pm)
Men’s 100 final (2.50pm)