Simbine leads African challenge for men’s World indoor 60m title

For the first time in his career and the age of 31, South Africa’s Akani Simbine will lead Africa’s challenge for a first 60m title since 2008 when Nigeria’s Olusoji Fasuba made history as the first man from the continent to be crowned World indoor fastest man.

Simbine will lead two other Africans, Arthur Cisse of Cote d’ Ivoire and Senegal’s Mamadou Fall Sarr in the absence of the Nigerian duo of Knayinsola Ajayi and Isreal Okon.

The two Nigerians are not rgistered for the championships despite their eyes-popping and head turning performances in the American Collegiate circuit this term.

Ajayi’s 6.48 seconds run is not just the fastest in the world by an African this year but also the fastest by an African since Deji Aliu ran 6.49 in 1999.

Okon also stormed to a 6.51 lifetime best to come second in the top list of fastest African in 2025 in the event.

Simbine holds a 6.53 lifetime best over the distance but has run 6.57 this year. The South African is seeking his first global individual medal after coming fourth twice and fifth once in the 100m at the Olympics.

He also came in fourth once and fifth twice at the World outdoor championships and could be looking to break that medal drought in Nanjing, venue of the 20th World indoor championships which start on Friday.

Cisse, 28, is making his second trip to the championships after finishing eighth (6.69) three years ago in Belgrade, S6erbia. He holds a 6.53 lifetime best and a personal season’s best of 6.63.

Senegalese Sarr is making his debut at a global event for the first time at the age of 26.

Nigerian has been the most dominant African in this evet with one gold ( Fasuba) and two bronze medals (Chidi Imoh and Davidson Ezinwa).