Olympics silver medalist Walaza dominates 60m race in impressive debut

Olympics silver medalist Bayanda Walaza continues his rise as one of South Africa’s best sprinters with yet another impressive outing on track.

The 19-year-old was one of four 4x100m silver medalist winners from the Paris Olympics last year in a team that also included Shaun Maswanganyi, Bradley Nkoana and champion sprinter Akani Simbine.

His exploits in the 2024 World Athletics U-20 Championships, where he picked up gold medals in the 200m and 100m events in Lima, Peru, solidified why he is known as the world's fastest teenager.

Walaza took to the field for his first 60m race at the Curro Podium Grand Finale last weekend and he breezed through his competition at an impressive time of 6.58 seconds, winning his first ever outing in the event.

Excited about his performance on the day, the Tshwane University of Technology student said that this will be an event he will be considering as he continues to grow in his career.

“It was awesome; it was a great experience, especially for someone who only started to run 60m this year,” Walaza said after his race win.

“I have always wanted to run it, especially when I see it on TV. It looks very fun and today I got a chance to compete in it and it was truly a great experience and a race I will cherish.”

Walaza went on to say that, although shorter in distance, the race still has the same requirements to prepare for, like you would any other race.

“It is still a tactical race; it needs one to be mindful. It is such a race that can easily mess with your mind but it’s like preparing for the 100m, and that's exactly how you win it,” said Walaza.

“Most people come out fast but its hard for them to finish, but if you still have the energy that you saved as you were starting, you will need it at the end.

“If you start too fast, you will end up falling off, so you need to be very tactical.”

Asked about the potential to compete in the same event at some international indoor events, the 19-year-old didn’t rule out that possibility despite South Africa not having an indoor facility.

“I would say that is something that can happen next year, but I still want to run more 60m races before I can say I want to run those races because I believe you still need experience as well.

“I got the experience from the Olympics but I feel with the 60m I must still learn more about it.

“I need to know how it feels—the momentum, different aspects—for now I am not yet ready but in the future I'll be ready.”

The silver medalist had the opportunity to step away from the track as he received the honour of attending the State of the Nation Address with President Cyril Ramaphosa a couple of weeks ago.

“It was an honour to be there and see the president. Some people wish to see the president but for us, you just get the chance to have that moment; its special and it shows that you are being recognized.

“It was awesome (laughing), but it was too long, but very awesome.”