Akani Simbine storms from behind to win eighth Diamond League title

• Published date: 27 April 2024
• Author: David Isaacson
• Publication title: TimesLIVE (Johannesburg, South Africa)

The South African was slower out the blocks than his main rivals, but the way he reeled them in one by one over the final 60 metres showed he still packs plenty of pace in his legs

Simbine crossed the line in 10.01 sec, equalling his effort at the national championships in Pietermaritzburg last weekend to edge Christian Coleman, the 2019 world champ, into second spot by threehundredths of a second.

Fred Kerley, the 2022 world champ, was third in 10.11, with Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon fourth and Jamaican Ackeem Blake fifth.

The win will be a massive boost for Simbine after the disappointment of the disqualification for a false start in the semifinals of the world championships in Budapest last year.

"I knew the field here would be strong but I just had to replicate what I did last week at the South African Championships," the 30yearold said in quotes posted on the Diamond League website.

"This has built a lot of confidence leading into the...