Akani Simbine has burst into 2025 like a man on fire, setting the track ablaze with a world-leading 9.86-second 100m dash at the Atlanta City Games—a time that’s still the fastest of the year! The South African sprint sensation didn’t stop there, also clocking a blazing 9.90 in Lausanne’s Diamond League, even managing to outpace American star Fred Kerley in a thrilling race. For ESPN fans, Simbine’s electrifying mix of raw speed and incredible consistency makes him a serious contender for a global gold medal. But despite his scorching performances, a cloud of doubt has begun to emerge: can Simbine keep up this blistering pace? Is Simbine Overrated? One American Sprinter Thinks So!

Well, Noah Williams, guys, the American sprinter who’s certainly stirring the pot with a bold take on Simbine’s dominance. In a recent interview, Williams held nothing back, stating, “No disrespect to Akani, but I don’t see him walking away with a gold medal. I can see him getting a bronze or maybe a silver at best.” He then doubled down, asserting, “I just don’t think he’s as good as a Noah Lyles or a Kenny Bednarek. I don’t think he’s better than those guys over 100.”  

His words, dripping with confidence, are designed to rattle Simbine while hyping up the American stars. Is Williams’ trash talk just a mind game, or does he genuinely see a weakness in Simbine’s armor? Well, an Olympic legend has now stepped in to defend Simbine and to set the record straight. On his Ready Set Go podcast, Olympic legend Justin Gatlin delivered a fiery defense of Simbine, declaring, “Simbine has finally found that rhythm. He’s a dude right now. He’s top dog.”

Gatlin is going full-on in high praises for Simbine. “He ran his times; he knows how to run it, and now he knows how to balance running those times and competing at the level where I’m still coming across the finish line first.” Gatlin’s words carry serious weight, his championship pedigree lending undeniable credibility to Simbine’s cause. For fans, it’s a thrilling endorsement, only amplifying the South African’s quest to silence his doubters.

Will Gatlin’s strong backing propel Simbine to new heights? As the season truly heats up, Simbine stands at a crossroads, with Williams’ skepticism and Gatlin’s unwavering support shaping a high-stakes narrative. The track awaits, and so do the answers. Can Simbine prove he’s more than just a fast starter and truly claim his place on the global stage? Well, up to now, at least he has done so this year.

Simbine continues his dream run, triumphing on the tracks

Well, Akani Simbine continues blazing to his third Diamond League 100m win of 2025 in Rabat on Sunday night, leaving his rivals utterly in the dust! The South African sprint sensation clocked a scorching 9.95 seconds, effortlessly outpacing Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala (10.05) and even leaving US bronze medalist Fred Kerley (10.07) behind. Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme took fourth, while Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo unfortunately trailed in last.

For fans, Simbine’s explosive performance is a clear reminder of his relentless dominance this season. “Another sub-10 in the bag. So slowly we go down in great time,” Simbine told reporters, his confidence practically radiating. The big question is, can he keep shaving off those precious milliseconds? This victory marks Simbine’s incredible fifth straight international win, solidifying his status as a true global sprinting powerhouse.

With a total of 12 career Diamond League triumphs, he now remarkably ties South African high-jump icon Hestrie Cloete for the second-most by a South African athlete, trailing only the legendary Caster Semenya’s 21. Simbine’s season has been nothing short of flawless, with earlier victories in Botswana, two in China, and one in the US. So, what’s next for this incredible sprint sensation?

“I am looking forward to the rest of the season and going back to training in Italy,” Simbine shared, his eyes firmly set on September’s World Championships in Tokyo, where he’s aiming for his very first global 100m medal. Will Simbine’s red-hot streak carry him to historic glory? We’ll all be watching!