Akani Simbine

Akani Simbine (born 21 September 1993) is a South African sprinter specialising in the 100 metres event.[1] He was fifth at the 2016 Summer Olympics in the men's 100 metres and was the 100 metres African record holder with a time of 9.84 seconds set in July 2021 until broken by Ferdinand Omanyala in September 2021.https://en.wikipedia.org/w/index.php?title=Akani_Simbine&action=edit Quotes Every new day comes with so many opportunities. Seize the day. Seize the opportunity.https://www.teamsa.co.za/athlete-profile/akani-simbine/?hl=en-US I'm running freer, I'm running without any pressure. I'm trying to be the little kid that I was who's just running for fun, trying to beat the fastest kid in the street.https://athleticsweekly.com/news/nearly-man-thats-just-noise-akani-simbine-1040001523/?hl=en-US#:~:text=People%20will%20say%20I'm%20the%20nearly%20man,the%20best%20and%20I%20always%20show%20up. I see it that I'm someone that's never given up on a dream, that's never given up on trying to be the best and I always show up.https://heslopsports.co.za/wp/akani-simbine/?hl=en-US#:~:text=I%20owe%20all%20my%20accomplishments%20thus%20far,going%20to%20get%20an%20Olympic%20Tattoo%3F%20Yes. My favourite motivational quote: Never give up on a dream just because of the time it will take to accomplish. The time will pass anyway.https://www.olympics.com/athlete365/articles/mentally-fit/akani-simbine-the-importance-of-asking-for-help-with-your-mental-health?hl=en-US#:~:text=If%20you%20find%20yourself%20in%20a%20similar,the%20lot%20and%20continue%20with%20my%20day. I had taken myself to an extreme level. My identity was Akani the athlete and nothing else... I now know that athletics doesn't define me, and I have my own identity outside the sport." I don't let my achievements define me in my career. I know what my career has shown to athletics... I don't need a medal to confirm that." If you find yourself in a similar situation, I think the first step is to acknowledge that you are not OK. Then seek help by talking to someone." You can't arrive at a race soft, like a marshmallow. The intensity has to rise... Once the warm-up starts, you're going into war, a fight in the ring. Then, when you're standing on the line your ego has to come out." We can't waste time. 0.01 seconds can be the difference between winning and losing." What I love about sprinting is pushing my body to the maximum and knowing at that point I cannot afford to make a single mistake." Being part of a small group of athletes that are taking sprinting to the world – where Africa's not known for sprinting, Africa's known for the distance – I'm just proud of the fact that I could spearhead this generation." I don't talk much; I am very self-kept... I think my performances and my actual work that I put in speaks louder than what I would do on social media." References