Four South African sprinters have been added to the list of international athletes who will grace this year’s edition of the Racers Grand Prix on Saturday, June 7.
Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Gift Leotlela, and Naeem Jack will visit the National Stadium for the first time. Walaza and Gift Leotlela will contest the 100m, while Dambile and Jack will contest the 200m.
Walaza and Dambile come to Jamaica in great form and with great confidence, as they were a part of the South African 4x100m team that swept to victory at the World Relays in China a few weeks ago. The South African quartet, which was anchored by national icon Akani Simbine, ran a world-leading 37.61s.
"Honestly, it’s a dream come true! I’ve grown up watching this meet, and to now be running in it as a senior, that’s wild! I’m super excited to test myself against some of the best in the world and just soak up the whole experience,” Walaza beamed.
Walaza hopes to handle the nerves of participating in front of the Jamaican crowd.
"I think just handling the nerves! It’s my first time racing on this kind of stage, and the energy in Jamaica is next level. But I’m reminding myself I belong here too," he added.
Dambile, who now has a global gold medal, believes that the Racers Grand Prix is the perfect platform to test himself even as the World Championships loom large on the horizon.
"It’s one of the best platforms in the world to race. After everything I’ve come through, I wanted to test myself against the best, and this is the perfect place to do that. For me, the challenge is internal. Staying focused and sticking to my race plan, especially in such a high-profile environment. But I’m in a good place mentally and physically,” he said.
Aside from the track, Dambile wants to breathe in what Jamaica has to offer while on the island.
"I’m curious about the culture, the people, the music, and the food. It’s always great to connect with places that live and breathe sprinting,” Dambile said.
Unlike his counterparts who are still basking in World Relays success, Gift Leotlela’s story reads a bit differently.
"I’ve had a tough few years, but I am feeling back to my best, and I want to keep challenging myself. Racing at the Racers GP is a great way to do that. It’s a high-level meet, and I’m ready for it. I’ll be competing in the 100m. It’s been my focus, and I’m looking to keep building momentum,” he revealed.
Leotlela is hoping for a great experience in Jamaica as he works his way back to his best.
"Every race has its own challenges, so my goal is to just stay relaxed and execute. I haven’t travelled much recently, so just experiencing a new environment, meeting fellow athletes, and taking in the Jamaican vibe is something I’m looking forward to," Leotlela noted.
Jack is hoping that the Racers Grand Prix will jumpstart his career as a senior athlete and an out-and-out sprinter after success at the South African National Championships.
"I’m just excited to go head-to-head with top sprinters and see what I can learn. I’m new to this level, so every opportunity counts. I’ll be racing the 200m. I’m still a hurdler at heart, but after the SA Champs, this event has definitely opened up for me," Jack said.
Not surprisingly, Jack is inspired by Akani Simbine and is hoping to carve out a path not too dissimilar from his hero.
"For me as a junior, he’s proof that consistency and class can take you far. I hope I can follow a similar path. Rasheed Broadbell as a hurdler—I look up to him big time—and Shericka Jackson, her power in the 200m is crazy,” he revealed.