Sekgodiso, Simbine medals show SA can return to glory

AFTER the glory of the relay silver medal at the Paris Olympics, it looks like that achievement has inspired South African athletes to greater heights this year following two medals at the world indoor championships last week.

- ASHFAK MOHAMED

The men’s 4x100m relay team of Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Bradley Nkoana and Shaun Maswanganyi grabbed second place behind Canada on a memorable August night at the Stade de France.

That was followed the next day by Jo-Ané van Dyk’s outstanding effort in the women’s javelin competition as she clinched a silver medal as well.

But that was the only two medals from the athletics team, and the first podium finishes in a global event since the 2017 world championships in London.

That's right: the last time Mzansi could celebrate a world medal was when Caster Semenya won gold in the 800m at the London Olympic Stadium.

She was joined at the top of the podium by fellow champions Wayde van Niekerk (400m) and Luvo Manyonga (long jump), while Van Niekerk also claimed a silver medal in the 200m and Semenya a bronze in the 1,500m, with Ruswahl Samaai claiming third spot in the long jump as well. But from six medals at the 2017 world championships, South Africa produced zero medals in 2019 in Doha, 2022 in Oregon and 2023 in Budapest.