Simbine squares off with Olympic star Thompson

AKANI Simbine has the fastest time in the world this year, but his first major test of the season will come in today’s Diamond League meeting in Shanghai/Keqiao.

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

The men’s 100m race will be the showcase event at the China Textile City Sports Center arena, and for Simbine, it's about building on last week’s victory in the first Diamond League meet in Xiamen.

Simbine clocked 9.99 seconds in quite chilly conditions, but will be happy that the weather in Shanghai/ Keqiao will be much warmer, with temperatures of around 33 degrees Celsius expected today.

But while Simbine is unbeaten over the 100m distance this year, he will be pushed all the way this time around by Jamaican star Kishane Thompson.

The 23-year-old stunned the sprint world by clinching the silver medal at the Paris Olympics last year with a superb 9.79 seconds, but just missing out on the gold to American Noah Lyles by five one-thousandths of a second.

US star Fred Kerley grabbed the bronze medal in 9.81, with Simbine again just missing out on the podium with a new national record time of 9.82.

So, the 31-year-old will be determined to make amends at the September world championships in Tokyo, having claimed the 4x100m relay silver with Team SA in Paris, and then a 60m bronze at this year’s world indoor champs in China.