)
Retired American sprinter Justin Gatlin has shed light on why South African sprinter Akani Simbine struggles at major championships despite strong starts.
Former Olympic champion Justin Gatlin has shed light on why South African sprinter Akani Simbine often struggles at major championships despite strong starts to his campaigns.
Simbine has a history of performing well early in the season but comes up short when lining up against sprint rivals at major championships and later on in the season.
Gatlin has explained why the South African often falters when up against the wall on the biggest stage.
PAY ATTENTION: Follow us on Google News, Stay informed with Latest Sport News
)
14:00 - 28.04.2025
Top 7 Most Expensive Trophies in the World
From the FIFA World Cup to the FA Cup and prestigious Ballon d'Or discover the most expensive trophies in the world.
Why Akani Simbine Struggles at Major Championships
)
Gatlin, a former world champion and 100m world record holder, believes the reason Simbine often falters is because of the nature of his campaign.
The former Olympic champion believes that Simbine’s campaign peaks too early, denying him the opportunity to be at his best in the latter stages when the majority of the major championships take place.
“I would love to know what their (Simbine’s) training cycle is like, because we always see he runs a world lead usually a month before the Olympics or World Championships, and then [he is] not able to get onto that podium that month after,” said Gatlin in a recent episode of the Ready Set Go Podcast.
“I'd love to know if they tweaked the training cycle a little bit and said, ‘Hey, you know what, let's back up just a little bit and let's produce that world lead a month later,’" he added.
)
12:58 - 28.04.2025
Rafael Benitez: Former Liverpool and Real Madrid Manager Rejects Offer to Coach African Giants
Veteran Spanish coach Rafael Benitez, who has had stints with Liverpool, Chelsea, Real Madrid, Napoli and Inter Milan, has reportedly turned down an African football giant.
Simbine’s Strong Start to the Campaign
)
Gatlin’s concern comes on the back of Simbine’s mixed 2024 campaign and strong start to his 2025 season.
The South African had a brilliant start to his campaign last season but missed out on a podium finish at the Paris Olympics in the summer when lining up against the likes of Noah Lyles, Kishane Thompson, and Fred Kerley.
Simbine clocked 9.82 seconds to place fourth, missing out on a podium finish by milliseconds, as Kerley placed third with 9.81, while Lyles edged out Thompson with both clocking 9.79 in first and second respectively.
This season, Simbine has enjoyed an equally brilliant start to his campaign, running a world lead in the 100m.
)
10:47 - 28.04.2025
'Winning When it is Ugly' - How Arne Slot Guided Liverpool to The Title
Arne Slot guided Liverpool to the title in his first season but how did he manage that fate?
Simbine followed up his 9.90 seconds at the Botswana Golden Grand Prix on April 12 with a second straight sub-10 sprint at the Xiamen Diamond League on Saturday.
Simbine clocked 9.99 seconds for first place to beat Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala, who was second in 10.13 seconds, as Jeremiah Azu of Great Britain completed the podium in 10.17 seconds.
This brilliant form has positioned him as a top contender this season, but with Gatlin’s concern, it remains to be seen whether the sprinter will disprove past narratives and carry on to the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo in September.
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)
)