Gift Leotlela, Akani Simbine ready to lead SA charge at World Champs

Leotlela impressed with a new personal best of 9.87s in Heat 1, beating off stiff competition from Nigeria Kayinsola Ajayi (9.88) and Jamaica's Oblique Seville (9.93), to go into today's semi-finals as the fastest qualifier.

The 27-year-old, who has had his fair share of injury struggles in recent years, is full of belief having returned to form at the optimal time for this year's event.

"I'm feeling really good, I'm healthy and I think that's all that matters. I know when I'm healthy, these are the things I can do, so, I'm really proud of myself. My focus was just on myself, just listen to the gun and execute. Go through my phases correctly and I did just that," Leotlela said.

READ: Abdeslam Ouaddou stands firm: My ideas just need time

Simbine, who is participating in his seventh World Champs, also qualified as the fastest from Heat 7 in a time of 10.02 and is relishing the opportunity to still perform at the highest level as he keeps his feet firmly on the ground.

"I think it's just the years of running and I guess always making finals and being one of the best sprinters around for the last 10 years. So, it's a great feeling but I don't let it get to my head you know, I respect everybody who comes here to race, to compete and we know what it takes to get here," Simbine said.

Simbine will be up against familiar foes in USA's Noah Lyles, Ajayi and Jamaica's Ackeem Blake in the first semi-final at 13h45 (SA time), before Leotlela comes up against Botswana's Letsile Tebogo, Seville and USA's Courtney Lindsey at 13h59 (SA time) today.

31-year-old Simbine is also excited to be leading the charge for an exciting group of South African youngsters, as he looks to pass the baton on to the next generation of sprinters coming through the ranks.

"We have a good group of sprinters right now and it's really great to be part of that and really great to actually run with them and get to also share my knowledge with them,” Simbine added. 

“I think my knowledge is gonna help them because they are the next generation and it's important to share information and to share knowledge, that's what I always do with them."