In a track and field era largely ruled by stars like Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson, Akani Simbine is proving he belongs in the same conversation. When Akani Simbine guided South Africa to a silver medal in the 4x100m relays at the Paris Olympics, many termed as a fluke. But come 2025, the 31-year-old, once again, has humbled the title favorites.

During the recently concluded World Relays in Guangzhou, at one stage, USA’s Brandon Hicklin had a clear lead against South Africa and Canada, but Simbine, who is coming off victories in two Diamond League 100m races this season, not only outpaced Team USA but secured his country’s first-ever gold with a stunning 37.61 finish. A performance so dominating that it even prompted a 2x NCAA champion to issue an apology.

Even after trailing behind the USA, Simbine stuck to his strategy: it’s not over until it’s over! “Once I got the baton, I saw that USA in front of us, I just said to myself ‘I need to catch the guy in front’,” said Simbine. “I knew I could do it, and I just chased him. I feed from chasing, I feed from being able to chase. So it’s really great to be able to be in that position and get through it and get to the line first.” From Xiamen and Shanghai to Guangzhou, the South African speedster has been quietly unstoppable. But it’s not just Simbine catching attention. One prominent American track and field star recently praised the entire South African squad.

In a sport where margins are razor-thin, South Africa just made a seismic statement, and despite leaving the U.S. in the dust, their performance earned admiration from even their fiercest rivals. Track World News took to YouTube, highlighting how the showdown at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in China was more than just a sprint. It was a seismic shift in the global sprinting landscape. And one athlete who couldn’t hold back his admiration? U.S. sprinter Noah Williams, who was visibly fired up by what he witnessed.

“That was an incredible job by South Africa, anchored by Akani,” Williams said, praising Akani Simbine. Those words didn’t come lightly. Williams’s praise pointed to something far bigger than just a fast finish. It was a full-on emergence. “And even to the 4×4, bro, South Africa’s on fire, dog. They got a lot of talent. Like, I really didn’t—I was unfamiliar with their game and I apologize for that, but they have a lot of talent, bro. It’s exciting to see a gem like that in the sport.”

The South African team, made up of Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana, and the anchor Akani Simbine, didn’t just edge out the U.S.; they did it with a fearless composure and technical brilliance that turned heads across the sport. Their time of 37.61 shaved just 0.05 seconds off the heavily favored Americans, whose 37.66 performance was strong but not clean. Canada followed up with bronze in 38.11, but the buzz was all about the African squad, who had rewritten the narrative. For Team USA, this was another moment of tough reflection.

Despite a powerful start, cracks in relay execution haunted them again, especially in baton exchanges. An issue that’s plagued American teams for years. On the other side, South Africa’s seamless chemistry and Simbine’s no-nonsense anchor leg delivered not just a gold medal but a message. They’ve arrived, and they’re here to stay. For fans back home, this wasn’t just a race. It was a breakthrough! One rooted in national pride, executed with global impact.

Inside Akani Simbine’s unfinished masterpiece

For over a decade, Simbine has quietly carved out one of the most consistent sprinting careers in the world. He holds the unmatched feat of running sub-10 in the 100m for 11 straight years, breaking even Usain Bolt’s record of ten. His 9.82 national record remains a South African benchmark, yet his path has been defined as much by near misses as victories. Fourth at Tokyo 2020. Just 0.01 seconds short of bronze in Paris 2024. Three World Championship finals without a medal. Through it all, injuries and the COVID-19 shutdowns, Akani Simbine’s story is one of resilience, not regret.

That drive was on full display in Shanghai, where Simbine clocked 9.98 for the win. But for him, the time was secondary. “Another win. I’m not happy with the race, but taking the win is good,” he said, revealing the mindset that has kept him in the global elite. Never satisfied! His critique wasn’t frustration; it was hunger. That willingness to chase refinement over recognition is what’s made Simbine not just relevant, but revered. Behind the medals and milestones is a man who treats every race as another step toward the perfect one.

At the start of the 2025 season, Akani Simbine made his intentions clear: “And for me, it’s to come here to win, come here to run well, and just start the season off well and on a high note.” True to his word, he’s delivered. First in Xiamen, then Shanghai, and finally with a legendary anchor leg at the World Relays. With each performance, he’s rewritten not just stats but perception. Simbine’s career may be built on near-podium finishes, but his legacy is shaped by the kind of excellence that doesn’t always need gold to shine.