South African sprinting entered this season with a burst of promise, as 19-year-old Bayanda Walaza produced headline performances at every level of competition. He secured a three-medal finish at the FISU World University Games in Bochum, followed by a runner-up placing in Brussels, where he pushed compatriot Gift Leotlela to the line. For a nation eager to see its next great sprinter emerge alongside Akani Simbine, Walaza seemed poised to step into the senior world stage with confidence. Yet, in his final outing before the World Championships, hopes took an unexpected turn.

At the Diamond League Final in Zurich, the men’s 100 meters assembled a field stacked with global medalists. Simbine found form at last, dipping under 10 seconds to claim silver in 9.98, one hundredth behind American

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