By
FISU World University Games sprint double champion Bayanda Walaza says the Rhine-Ruhr event has proven to be adequate preparation for the Tokyo World Championships in September.
There were initial doubts over whether Walaza, a first-year TUT student, would be part of Team SA in Germany, considering his busy calendar.
But the 19-year-old did commit and claimed both the men’s 100m and 200m titles, establishing himself as a crowd favourite.
Speaking to SABC Sport, the Olympian sent a strong message ahead of Japan.
"The main goal was to come here and sharpen up. I have to go through the heats, semifinals, and final at World Champs, so this event has been great preparation for me.
"For now, I'm trying to see where my stamina level is at, so I can see if I'm going to last the whole year," said the double champ.
With his time of 10.16 in the 100m and then later powering through the 200m by clocking 20.63, the commentators and international media compared Walaza to Akani Simbine and Wayde van Niekerk – or even better.
Walaza says the duo have been watching him at the FISU Games.
"I received a congratulations from those two legends. They showed belief in me, and they knew that I had the strength inside of me to handle the pressure because I've been on the World stage with them before."
Meanwhile, Walaza has left spectators wondering about his running style. SABC Sport asked the sprinter to explain.
"I am more dangerous when I cannot control myself and when my head starts to move around. With time, my running style will become more relaxed."
