“You fought hard’: Simbine earns respect of SA in closest Olympic men’s 100m final

Tears flow as Akani Simbine finishes fifth in thrilling Olympic 100m final

Akani Simbine may have missed out on an Olympic medal, but he has earned the respect of the nation for his brave performance in the men’s 100m final in Tokyo.

The 27-year-old South African finished fifth in a time of 9.93 seconds, just 0.09 seconds behind the bronze medallist, Canada’s Andre De Grasse.

It was the closest Olympic men’s 100m final in history, with the top three finishers all clocking times of 9.80 seconds or faster.

Italy’s Lamont Marcell Jacobs won the gold medal in a time of 9.80 seconds, ahead of the United States’ Fred Kerley (9.84 seconds) and De Grasse (9.89 seconds).

Simbine was emotional after the race, admitting that he was “heartbroken” to have missed out on a medal.

“I gave it my all, but it wasn’t enough,” he said. “I’m proud of myself for what I’ve achieved, but it’s hard to take right now.”

However, Simbine’s performance was praised by many, including South African athletics legend Wayde van Niekerk.

“You fought hard, Akani,” Van Niekerk said. “You represented your country with pride.”

Simbine’s fifth-place finish is the best performance by a South African in the men’s 100m final since 1996, when Hendrick Mokganyetsi finished fourth.

It is also the second-fastest time ever run by a South African in the 100m, behind only Simbine’s own personal best of 9.89 seconds.

Simbine’s performance is a reminder that South Africa is a force to be reckoned with in the world of sprinting.

He is one of a number of talented young South African sprinters who are coming through the ranks, and he will be hoping to challenge for a medal at the next Olympic Games in Paris in 2024.

For now, though, Simbine can be proud of his performance in Tokyo.

He may not have won a medal, but he has earned the respect of the nation.