Breakthroughs, heartbreaks and challenges

ATHLETICS YEAR IN REVIEW

- ROWAN CALLAGHAN

ZAKITHI Nene, second left, alongside Gardeo Isaacs, Wayde van Niekerk, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Lythe Pillaypowers, helped TeamSA power past the line to win the 4x400m relay bronze in Tokyo. I AFP

(AFP)

THE year 2025 was one of contrasts for South African athletics. While several individuals delivered standout performances, TeamSA once again struggled on the world stage.

A contingent of 49 athletes tried to end an eight-year medal drought at the World Championships in Tokyo but returned with just one medal - the 4x400m relay bronze - underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning the domestic season with the global calendar.

For athletes like Bayanda Walaza, the year ended in heartbreak as injury robbed the young sprint sensation of a realistic medal chance.

The year began brightly with encouraging signs from South Africa's sprint king, Akani Simbine, who won bronze in the men's 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on 21 March. His fine early-season form continued outdoors as he dipped below 10 seconds consistently and reeled off back-to-back Diamond League victories.

Tokyo, however, proved harsh. Simbine fell short of expectations in the 100m, yet the veteran sprinter refused to let one championship define an otherwise strong year.

"(The year) 2025 was a successful year," Simbine said, last week.