Bayanda Walaza, a South African sprinting star, has set a national Under-20 record with a time of 9.99 seconds in the 100m. He is now the joint fifth fastest junior athlete globally and has established himself as a serious competitor in athletics with recent significant victories and fast times in both the 100m and 200m sprints.
Bayanda Walaza, a remarkable sprinting talent from South Africa, has recently set an Under-20 national record by completing the 100m sprint in an impressive 9.99 seconds. This achievement, accomplished at the Gauteng North Provincial Championships on March 16, marks him as the ninth South African to break the sub-10 second barrier. Walaza’s record surpassed the previous time of 10.03 seconds held by Bradley Nkoana, illustrating his rapid progression in the sport.
Known for his unique running style, the 19-year-old athlete has gained prominence following an impressive breakthrough year in 2024. During that year, he won an Olympic silver medal and clinched both the 100m and 200m titles at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima. Walaza’s success on the track has positioned him among the world’s elite junior sprinters, ranking him fifth fastest ever.
In addition to his achievements, Walaza has engaged in a competitive rivalry with Australian sprinter Gout Gout. At the Queensland Athletics Championships 2025, Gout achieved a remarkable 200m time of 20.05 seconds, only 0.01 seconds shy of a national record. Together, Walaza and Gout lead the season’s fastest times in both the 100m and 200m sprints, despite the early stage of the athletic calendar.
Walaza commenced his 2025 sprinting campaign with a notable performance, clocking the 11th fastest time among junior athletes over 60m at 6.58 seconds in February. His emergence as a sprinter began in 2024 when he recorded a time of 10.13 seconds at the South African junior championships, later finishing second at the senior nationals behind Akani Simbine. Walaza’s recent victory reinforces his status as a significant contender at senior levels in athletics.
Bayanda Walaza’s achievement of setting a South African Under-20 record in the 100m sprint signifies his transformation from a promising young athlete to a formidable competitor at the senior level. His rivalry with Gout Gout and impressive performances demonstrate the exciting prospects for the future of sprinting in South Africa. With the capability to consistently deliver remarkable times, Walaza stands on the brink of a promising athletic career.
Original Source: www.olympics.com
