Akani Simbine beats Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley to end American dominance in Suzhou Diamond League

Akani Simbine beats Christian Coleman, Fred Kerley to end American dominance in Suzhou Diamond League

Abigael Wafula 15:32 - 27.04.2024

South Africa's Akani Simbine has stamped authority at the Diamond League Meeting in Suzhou, beating Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley to second and third place respectively.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine oozed class at the Diamond League Meeting in Suzhou, China to silence the Amercian duo of Christian Coleman and Fred Kerley.

Going into the race as an underdog and competing in his first competition outside home soil this year, Simbine stopped the clock at 10.01. Coleman, the World Indoor 60m champion finished second in 10.04 as Kerley went ahead to complete the podium in 10.11.

Coleman was on fire in the Diamond League Meeting series opener in Xiamen last weekend, taking the win and he was hoping to continue the winning streak in Suzhou but Simbine had his eyes fixed on the prize.

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Simbine was off to a great start from the blocks and held onto his epic form as he proceeded to cut the tape first in style. This was only his second 100m race of the season and he was able to execute it well, firing warning shots at his rivals ahead of the Paris 2024 Olympic Games.

He started the season with a win at the South African Championships where he clocked 10.01 to cross the finish line. He now heads to China fired up and ready for the test that awaits him.

The South African will be looking forward to having a great season after his bitter exit from the World Championships in Budapest, Hungary due to a false start.

On his part, Kerley has won two 100m races so far but is yet to win a Diamond League race. He started his campaign at the Meeting in Xiamen but was pipped by Coleman who took the top prize.

Youngster Ackeem Blake was also heading into the race in the hunt for a win after a successful indoor campaign that saw him bag his first world medal. He, however, faded to finish fifth behind Emmanuel Eseme of Cameroon.

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