South African sprinting sensation Bayanda Walaza played second fiddle to compatriot and training partner Gift Leotlela in the men’s 100m race at the Brussels Diamond League meeting on Friday (22 August).
The 19-year-old Walaza was looking for a statement run in his last race ahead of the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo next month. But the night belonged to Tokyo 2020 semi-finalist Leotlela, who crossed the finish in a winning time of 10.13 seconds, edging Walaza into second place. Walaza clocked 10.18 with Brandon Hicklin of the United States finishing third in 10.22.
African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala was well off the pace, finishing seventh with a time of 10.49.
“I enjoyed it, it was fun! It is not the time that I expected, it looks slow. But we keep on going and look forward,” Walaza told Olympics.com after the race.
“The season has been great and I have enjoyed it. This is the season that I had to experience what it is like to be around pros. To take my steps on the pro circuit and see how it feels. It is exciting and it makes me want to do more.”
Olympic relay silver medallist and double junior world champion Walaza will be looking to find his form as he prepares for his senior global championships.
Walaza is fresh off a superb showing at the 2025 FISU World University Games, where he bowed out with a three-medal haul – gold in the 100m and 200m and silver in the men’s 4x100m relay.
“The more I do not perform now, it makes me hungrier, and it is what makes me stronger when I come back,” Walaza said.
“I want to be a threat (at the world championships). I don’t want to be someone they take lightly. When I step onto that track, they must know this boy is here to put up a show. I want to be the youngster who shows the pros how it is done.”
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