We seem to be on the horizon for a track and field horizon. Not only the old guard with the likes of Noah Lyles and Kishane Thompson going strong by the day, but there has been an influx of rookies who are turning heads at every turn. First, it was the phenom from down under Gout Gout, who got some of the fastest times of the year to his name. Then, it was time to meet the prodigies of the NCAA in the form of Christian Miller and Jordan Anthony, who thrilled us. But now, taking in the footsteps of Letsile Tebogo, there is a new sensation from Africa who is here to steal all the spotlight at Zagreb.

If you didn’t get who we are talking about, it is none other than Bayanda Walaza. At just 19, he already bagged the U-20 100m and 200m titles. With this, Walaza etched his name into the history books again, becoming the first athlete since 1998 to snag both the 100m and 200m titles at the World Athletics U20 Championships. He even outran Gout Gout to claim that 200m age-group title at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships in Peru.

He’s already got an Olympic silver from the 4x100m relay in Paris 2024. But then, Zagreb happened, and everything changed. So, how did this teenager suddenly set the track world on fire? On May 24th, 2025, at the Continental Tour in Zagreb, Walaza unleashed an absolute storm. He clocked a jaw-dropping 9.94 seconds in the 100m, completely shattering his old best and leaving everyone in the track world speechless.

If you saw the viral video on X from Athletics Weekly, you’d have seen him in lane 4, those orange shoes a blur as he surged ahead. FloTrack’s reaction summed it up perfectly: “WOW! Bayanda Walaza is flying!” It wasn’t just the mind-blowing time that made everyone gasp; it was the way he did it, slicing through the field with such precision and raw power. Fans are mesmerized, but what makes this 9.94 truly special?

This 9.94 isn’t just a number for Walaza—it’s a massive statement. Coming off a 9.99 in March, his improvement is simply staggering, especially for a 19-year-old. His performance in Zagreb, surrounded by seasoned sprinters, really highlights his immense potential. As the track world tries to wrap its head around this, one burning question remains: can Walaza keep defying all expectations like this?

The answer might just unfold in his upcoming races, but for now, that 9.94 in Zagreb has everyone speechless. Walaza’s rise is a thrilling tale of pure speed, incredible surprises, and sheer, unadulterated audacity. With the Diamond League and World Championships on the horizon, the entire track world is watching with bated breath, wondering: what incredible feat will this sprinting sensation pull off next? And fans are going over the roof.

Fans are going over the roof at Bayanda Walaza’s run

Bayanda Walaza, the 19-year-old South African sprinting sensation, has ignited a firestorm of excitement among fans. “Bayanda Walaza continues to dominate, what a performance from the youngster,” one fan remarked, capturing the sentiment of a community stunned by his rapid rise. But what makes this 9.94 so electrifying? Walaza’s dominance is no fluke. Since setting his 9.99 personal best in March 2025, he’s been on a tear, consistently going sub-10 seconds.

“He’s been going sub-10 for a couple of races; if he keeps this up, he could have some serious future,” another fan noted, reflecting the growing belief in his potential. His 9.94 in Zagreb, against a backdrop of seasoned competitors, underscores his trajectory. Fans are drawing comparisons to another rising star, Gout Gout, with one saying, “Walaza is what fans want Gout Gout to become, amazing stuff.”

The excitement is palpable, but how does Walaza’s performance stack up against the hype? South Africa’s sprinting pipeline is producing talents that are turning heads globally. “South Africa is feeding these guys some next-level stuff,” a fan observed, pointing to the nation’s emerging dominance in the sport. Walaza’s style, marked by a distinctive burst and precision, has fans mesmerized.

“Man, the way this boy runs, he is a force to be reckoned with,” another fan declared, echoing the sentiment that Walaza is not just a contender but a game-changer. As the track world digests this, one question looms: Can Walaza’s momentum carry him to the top of the sprinting world? The answer might lie in his upcoming races, but for now, Zagreb’s 9.94 has fans dreaming big.

Walaza’s performance is a narrative of speed, surprise, and sheer audacity, leaving everyone wondering: What’s next for this sprinting phenomenon?