Coach T explains Bayanda Walaza comeback from injury

The reigning World Under-20 100m and 200m champion opened his season with a time of 10.03 seconds in his first race after recovering from injury. 

He then sent a strong message that he is back to his best by storming to a lifetime best of 9.94 seconds at the Ostrava Golden Spike meeting.

Speaking to SABC Sport, Walaza’s coach, Thabo Matebedi, popularly known as Coach T, said the young sprinter has fully recovered and is now training and racing without any concerns.

"The biggest challenge with him was that he wasn't competition fit, but now he's back and he can push to the extra limit."

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Matebedi, who also coaches South African sprint stars Gift Leotlela and Sinesipho Dambile, believes people should not get carried away by Walaza’s brilliant performance. 

Instead, he wants the focus to remain on the athlete’s long-term development and continued improvement.

"That was a great performance and remember that he equalled his PB, so now I have to sit down with him and look to the way forward. He needs to be consistent with his progression because I know what he can do."

The Tshwane University of Technology second-year student, who is studying Supply Chain Management, continues to benefit from training alongside some of South Africa’s fastest sprinters, including Gift Leotlela, Sinesipho Dambile and Naeem Jack. 

The group trains together under Coach T at Curro Hazeldean High School in Pretoria.

Matebedi says the competitive training environment is playing a key role in Walaza’s rapid development.