South Africa’s sprint sensation, Bayanda Walaza, continues to make headlines, this time by adding another accolade to his growing collection.
The 18-year-old, currently a matric pupil at Curro in Pretoria, clinched the gold medal in the under-20 men’s 100m event at the World Athletics U20 Championships held in Lima, Peru, on Thursday morning.
Walaza made an impressive start, taking an early lead and maintaining it down the track to finish first with a time of 10.19 seconds. This remarkable performance not only earned him the gold medal but also solidified his status as one of the most promising young sprinters on the international stage.
South Africa’s presence on the podium was further bolstered by 19-year-old Bradley Nkoana, who claimed the bronze medal with a time of 10.26 seconds.
Nkoana, also a member of South Africa’s Olympic relay team, demonstrated his potential by securing a spot in the top three.
The silver medal went to Thailand’s Puripol Boonson, who crossed the finish line in 10.22 seconds, showcasing the high level of competition in the race.
Expressing his elation after the victory, Walaza shared, “This is special, especially for my people from South Africa, this means a lot. This is an extremely emotional moment for me. This was the best thing – I have never felt like this before. Okay, the Olympics. But this one, it’s about me! It feels special.”
Walaza’s victory in Lima marks another milestone in what is shaping up to be a stellar career. His achievements not only bring pride to his home country but also set a high standard for South African athletics on the global stage.
As the young sprinter continues to grow and develop, the world will undoubtedly be watching his every step.
