By Razeen Gutta
Akani Simbine and Jo-Ane du Plessis delivered impressive performances at the Diamond League final in Zurich, setting the stage for a strong showing at the upcoming World Championships.
Simbine clocked 9.98 seconds in the men’s 100m, finishing second behind Christian Coleman, while teammate Bayanda Walaza suffered a hamstring injury.
Du Plessis secured third place in the javelin with a throw of 62.26m, her fourth time exceeding 62m this season.
Athletics South Africa president James Moloi congratulated the duo on their podium finishes, highlighting the crucial phase leading up to the World Championships.
“We congratulate Akani and Jo-Ane for reaching the podium in their respective events. We are a few weeks from the World Champs, and it’s a crucial and testing phase for every athlete,” Moloi said per EWN.
Other South African athletes also competed, with Prudence Sekgodiso finishing sixth in the women’s 800m and Zeney van der Walt placing eighth in the women’s 400m hurdles.
The performances have generated excitement and optimism for the World Championships which is now just a matter of weeks away.
Pictured above: Akani Simbine
Source: @officialteamrsa
