Akani Simbine delivered a statement victory at the Keqiao Diamond League, storming to a 9.98s (0.5) win in the men’s 100m, edging out a high-quality field in a thrilling sprint showdown.
The South African sprinter showed his trademark composure and top-end speed to cross the line first, holding off Kishane Thompson of Jamaica, who impressed with a sharp season-opening 9.99s—his earliest ever and first outside of Jamaica.
Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, another rising sprint force, finished third in 10.03s, as all three athletes signaled strong early-season form ahead of a busy championship calendar.
Simbine’s sub-10 performance marks him as a serious contender as the sprint season heats up.