Akani Simbine: The Blueprint For The South African To Defeat Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson And Co.

Akani Simbine told how to overcom Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson and Co. (Photo Courtesy).

Akani Simbine: The Blueprint For The South African To Defeat Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson And Co.

Stephen Awino 12:37 - 01.05.2025

South African sprinter Akani Simbine has been told what he needs to do to defeat Noah Lyle, Kishane Thompson and Co.

South African sprinter Akani Simbine has been told how to topple Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, and others to finally secure a major championship title.

Africa's second-fastest man has struggled to replicate his continental success on the biggest stages of them all.

American sprint legend Justin Gatlin and co-host Rodney Green recently reflected on what Akani Simbine needs to do to finally win a major championship during a recent episode of the Ready Set Go podcast.

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What Akani Simbine Needs to Do

Akani Simbine told how to overcom Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson and Co. (Photo Courtesy).
Akani Simbine told how to overcom Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson and Co. (Photo Courtesy).

Gatlin, a former world champion, asked Green, also a former track athlete, "Could you see that happening?" in reference to whether Simbine can finally clinch a major championship like the World Athletics Championships or the Olympics.

"What is it going to take for Simbine to make the podium? It has to be 9.7-something, because it looks like that’s where the 100 is starting to end up against," said Green.

"We’re going to start to see a lot of our runners — first and second place — running under 9.80. And if that’s going to be the case, he has to be training for low 9.7s," he added.

Green went on to note that this scenario could shake up the list of the top five fastest men of all time.

"Meaning, the top five (fastest) is in danger again this year. I think it’s in danger for real this year. I think you (Justin Gatlin) may bump down. You may bump down this year," said Green.

Gatlin agreed, stating, "You're right."

The Time Simbine Needs to Beat the Best

Akani Simbine.
Akani Simbine humiliating a stacked 100m field at the Xiamen Diamond League. (Credit: Marta Gorczynska for Diamond League AG)

Such a time would propel him into the top five fastest men of all time, just ahead of Fred Kerley, Christian Coleman, and Trayvon Bromell, who have all clocked 9.76.

The South African sprinter might need to run a Gatlin personal-best equivalent time of 9.74 to topple the likes of Lyles and Thompson.

This time would surpass the 9.79 run by both Lyles and Thompson at the Olympics, where Simbine ran 9.82 to claim fourth place.

The top five fastest men of all time list is topped by Usain Bolt at 9.58 seconds, followed by Yohan Blake and Tyson Gay tied at 9.69 seconds with Asafa Powell 9.72 seconds just ahead of Gatlin.

Simbine has begun his season well, most recently overcoming a field of sprinters including Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, and the USA’s Christian Coleman at the Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday.