The world championships which get underway in Budapest Hungary this weekend current a singular alternative for Africa’s greatest sprinters.
Since Jamaican sprinter Usain Bolt gained his first Olympic gold medal in Beijing in 2008, Africa’s greatest have been the bridesmaids within the 100m and 200m. However by no means the bride.
The world report holder within the 100m (9.58), the 200m (19.19) and the 4x100m (36.84) relay retired on the 2017 world championships.
Since then, there was no contender to his throne. Because the world championships start on Saturday, the race to dominate the world is vast open.
And for the primary time in historical past, Africa’s greatest have an actual shot at claiming glory.
Not less than three Africans; Akani Simbine of South Africa, Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, and Letsile Tebogo of Botswana could possibly be within the ultimate of the 100m.
They’re amongst 11 Africans who’ve damaged 10 seconds within the 100m this season.
Omanyala, Africa’s quickest man this season, recorded a time of 9.84s on the Kip Keino Traditional in Nairobi, making him the second quickest man in world athletics in 2023.
Solely Britain’s Zharnel Hughes (9.83) has recorded a quicker time this yr.
Probably the most thrilling prospect for southern African nations is Tebogo, who has recorded a season greatest time of 9.93.
The 20-year-old is among the many greatest on the earth within the 200m sprints, having just lately gained a Wanda Diamond League assembly and recorded a time of 19.50s within the 200m this yr.
And South Africa’s greatest Simbine has completed within the prime 5 in each Olympic Video games and World Championship competitors up to now decade.
Sure this yr, he’s far beneath his private better of 9.84 however he has recorded a formidable 9.92 and proved his consistency when he gained the Wanda Diamond League in horrible climate situations in Stockholm.
The 37-year-old additionally beat world champion US sprinter Fred Kerley on the Silesia Diamond League this yr.
Nobody expects anybody to interrupt the dash information set by Bolt however Africa has by no means been an even bigger risk on the earth since Namibian Frankie Fredericks.