Future looks bright as SA relay teams ready and steady for the Tokyo championships

Talent that came to the fore in China set for greatness

- By Siyasanga Monoalibe

After putting on a show at the 2025 World Athletics Relays in Guangzhou, China, it is safe to say that the future of South African track and field is full of promise and in good hands.

The SA relay runners set the Guangzhou scene alight when they clinched double gold and a bronze medal in 4x100m and 4x400m (men and women) finals respectively last week.

All the South African teams will be back in action at the World Track and Field Championships in Tokyo, Japan, in September, where Team SA will be looking to dominate on the global stage once again.

Many hitherto unknown athletes made a name for themselves in China last week alongside pedigreed names such as Akani Simbine, Bradley Nkoa-na and Bayanda Walaza. Walaza broke into the scene at the Paris Olympics last year, featuring prominently in the silver medal-winning relay team.

Udeme Okon (19):

Udeme Okon was born in South Africa to a Nigerian father and South African mother.

He is an U20 400m champion after clinching gold last year at the World U20 Athletics Championships in Peru.