Simbine shines in Shanghai, Chaumeton breaks SA record

South African sprinter Akani Simbine continued his dominance in the early stages of the Diamond League series, winning the men's 100m race in 9.98 seconds in Shanghai, China on Saturday.

Simbine, who won the short sprint at the opening leg of the top-flight track and field series in Xiamen last week, edged out Jamaican athlete Kishane Thompson, who took second place in 9.99. Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo of Botswana was third in 10.03.

In other events in Shanghai, Marione Fourie finished third in the women's 100m hurdles race in 12.62, Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ane du Plessis took third place in the javelin throw competition with a best attempt of 62.53m, and Lythe Pillay ended seventh in the men's 400m race in 45.39.

CHAUMETON SHINES IN TOKYO

Maxime Chaumeton showcased his superb form, breaking his own South African 5km record in Tokyo, Japan.

A week after winning the national 5 000m title at the SA Senior Track and Field Championships in Potchefstroom, Chaumeton finished fourth at the Asics Speed Race in 13:13, taking five seconds off his national road running mark of 13:18 set in Saudi Arabia in 2023. Ugandan athlete Herbert Kibet won the race in 13:00.

"The performance if our athletes is definitely a wonderful story to tell," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. "Congratulations to all athletes for all individual achievements. We also thank coaches and support team.

We must keep working on our times and distances with each participation as we build up towards the World Athletics Championships in September in Japan.