Akani Simbine, competing in his first World Indoors Athletics Championships, landed an individual medal at a global championship for the first time when he surged to the bronze in the men’s 60m in Nanjing, China.
The popular South African sprinter claimed the bronze in 6.54, with gold going to Great Britain’s Jeremiah Azu (6.49) and silver to Australian Lachlan Kennedy (6.50).
Simbine was a clear third, ahead of home favourite Xenye Xie.
In reaching the final on the opening day of the three-day championships, Akani Simbine had raced to a personal best time of 6.53 in the semi-finals.
Earlier in the day he recorded a 6.67 victory in his heats, which was a season’s best for a few hours.
The South African outdoor veteran, three times an Olympic Games 100m finalist and a member of the Team SA 4x100m relay squad that took silver at Paris 2024, had gone into the final as the fourth fastest qualifier, only 0.02 seconds behind American Ronnie Baker.
Akani Simbine had arrived at the World Indoors as the highest-ranked competitor in the men’s 60m, ranked No 2 in the world.
Smooth progress
Meanwhile, Prudence Sekgodiso opened her 2025 World Indoor Athletics Championships debut campaign by making smooth progress into the semi-finals of the women’s 800m.
Running in the third of four heats, the South African won her race in 2:03.89, having things her own way in the field of six runners when the first three finishers went through to the next stage.
The American Nia Atkins was the leading qualifier in 2:03.29, with Sekgodiso sixth overall after the heats, but only 0.60 seconds covered the fastest six on the time sheet.
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