The young sprinter stormed to victory and continued his remarkable rise by matching his career-best time at one of the world’s leading athletics meetings.
Ostrava, Czech Republic (17 June 2026) – Bayanda Walaza is back in the mix and reminding the athletics world exactly why he remains one of South Africa’s most exciting sprint talents.
Walaza produced a statement performance at the prestigious Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, Czech Republic, on Tuesday night, storming to victory in the men’s 100m in a blistering 9.94 seconds.
Not only did the time secure the win, but it also matched his personal best and lifted him to the top of the South African 100m rankings for 2026. He crossed the line ahead of Cameroon’s Emmanuel Eseme, who finished second in 9.99, while world indoor champion Jordan Anthony placed fifth in 10.20.
Take a bow, Bayanda Walaza! 🔥🇿🇦
Bayanda just ran a blistering 9.94 seconds, his fastest time of the year, to dominate the men’s 100m at the Ostrava Golden Spike.
Congratulations, champion.🔥#TeamSA #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/1Uk2AC1muC
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) June 16, 2026
The result comes at one of the most respected one-day athletics meetings on the global calendar. The Golden Spike is a World Athletics Continental Tour Gold event and regularly attracts some of the biggest names in international track and field.
His 9.94 now makes him the fastest South African over 100m this season, moving him ahead of a formidable group of sprint stars that includes training partner Gift Leotlela (9.97), Akani Simbine (9.98) and Neo Mosebi (9.98).
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South Africa’s Sinesipho Dambile also impressed, finishing second in 14.78. This is a time that was also quicker than the previous world best mark. Australian rising star Gout Gout took third place in 14.96.
🇿🇦⚡ A special moment for Sinesipho Dambile!
A huge milestone in Ostrava as Dambile clocks 14.78s to set a new South African 150m record and become the first South African to run under 15 seconds in the event.
Congratulations on a special performance and another step forward… pic.twitter.com/PkOMf6PKpq
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) June 16, 2026
Matching a personal best at a major international meeting and beating a quality field? The South African athletes continue to establish themselves as a team to watch out for.
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