By Lehlohonolo Lehana.
Cameroonian Emmanuel Eseme crossed the finish line in 10.03 seconds to win the 100m race at the Simbine Classic 2026 at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane on Tuesday (28 April).
Eseme finished ahead of the USA’s Pjai Austin (10.06), with Canada’s Tokyo 2020 200m gold medallist Andre De Grasse coming home third in 10.08.
The man of the moment Akani Simbine pulled up injured midway through the race and crossed the line last in 11.16. His injury comes just four days before the World Athletics Relays to be held in Gaborone, Botswana.
In the heats, Simbine clocked a time of 9.98s (1.7) ahead of Cheswill Johnson who ran 10.07s (10.02 in pre-program race), while Aaron Brown was third in 10.14s. PJ Austin beat De Grasse in another heat, posting 10.07s to the Canadian’s 10.12s.
The inaugural Simbine Classic, a World Athletics Continental Tour Silver meeting, is not merely another date on the international calendar, it is a long‑awaited return of elite, globally ranked track and field competition to South African soil.
The meeting was the first Continental Tour Silver event ever staged in South Africa, elevating the country’s athletics profile at a time when African athletes continue to shine in world sprinting, middle‑distance and relay events.
“Today marks the start of something really great for South African athletics,” Simbine said ahead of the inaugural meet. “Yes, it has my name behind it, but at the same time, this is a story for South Africa. This is a story for Africa, and it’s great to be a part of it. This is not about an academy; it’s more about athletics in South Africa, what we can do, and how we take Africa to the world.”
Gauteng Premier Panyaza Lesufi presented medals to the top performers, celebrating excellence on the track at Pilditch Stadium, the first-ever World Athletics Continental Tour Silver event hosted and produced in South Africa.