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Akani Simbine in action at the world indoor championships in China in March. Picture: CAMERON SPENCER/GETTY IMAGES
Akani Simbine continued his unbeaten run over 100m in Atlanta on Saturday while Wayde van Niekerk settled for third place in the 200m in his season-opener.
A strong tail wind nullified strong runs in both their races, with Simbine storming to victory in 9.86sec, well ahead of Udodi Onwuzurike of Nigeria in 10.05.
The wind was measured at 2.3m per second.
Simbine, fresh from winning gold in the 4x100m at World Relays in Guangzhou last weekend, also won the first three 100m races of his season, one in Botswana and two in the Diamond League meets in China.
Van Niekerk, who had not competed since finishing seventh in the 200m at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, started off his 2025 campaign with a seemingly respectable 20.03 over the straight 200m at the Atlanta City Games.
The wind was measured at 2.2mps, with Briton Zharnel Hughes taking full advantage as he won in 19.55.
Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago was second in 19.63.
Van Niekerk, with a 19.84 personal best from eight years ago, slowed markedly over the final stages of the race.
He had beaten Richards in their only previous encounter over this distance, in the final at the 2017 world championships in London.
Van Niekerk, the world 400m record-holder, is unlikely to find glory in the 200m and will surely have to return to the one-lap contest if he plans on challenging for global silverware down the line.
Support our award-winning journalism. The Premium package (digital only) is R30 for the first month and thereafter you pay R129 p/m now ad-free for all subscribers.
Simbine continues 100m stellar run in Atlanta
Wayde van Niekerk finishes third in the 200m
Akani Simbine continued his unbeaten run over 100m in Atlanta on Saturday while Wayde van Niekerk settled for third place in the 200m in his season-opener.
A strong tail wind nullified strong runs in both their races, with Simbine storming to victory in 9.86sec, well ahead of Udodi Onwuzurike of Nigeria in 10.05.
The wind was measured at 2.3m per second.
Simbine, fresh from winning gold in the 4x100m at World Relays in Guangzhou last weekend, also won the first three 100m races of his season, one in Botswana and two in the Diamond League meets in China.
Van Niekerk, who had not competed since finishing seventh in the 200m at the Paris Olympics in August 2024, started off his 2025 campaign with a seemingly respectable 20.03 over the straight 200m at the Atlanta City Games.
The wind was measured at 2.2mps, with Briton Zharnel Hughes taking full advantage as he won in 19.55.
Jereem Richards of Trinidad and Tobago was second in 19.63.
Van Niekerk, with a 19.84 personal best from eight years ago, slowed markedly over the final stages of the race.
He had beaten Richards in their only previous encounter over this distance, in the final at the 2017 world championships in London.
Van Niekerk, the world 400m record-holder, is unlikely to find glory in the 200m and will surely have to return to the one-lap contest if he plans on challenging for global silverware down the line.
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