Team South Africa shines bright at World Relay Champs in China

702’s John Perlman speaks with athletics commentator Mosibodi Whitehead.

Listen below:

Team South Africa had a sensational run at the World Relay Championships over the weekend in China.

The team walked away with double gold, a bronze and a few records.  

Akani Simbine, Bayanda Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile and Bradley Nkoana took the gold in the men’s 4x100m with a world-leading 37.61 seconds.

Simbine has been on a stellar run, clocking the fastest 100m time for the year in the Diamond League. 

RELATED: Akani Simbine claims back-to-back 100m victories at Diamond League

“It takes decades to build an athlete of the calibre of an Akani Simbine or, more recently, a Bayanda Walaza.” 

– Mosibodi Whitehead

The men’s 4x400m was equally superb with Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene taking gold. 

In the women’s 4x400m relay, Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Precious Molepo and Zeney van der Walt clocked a national record to win bronze.

Whitehead says this is the result of Athletics South Africa's drive for relay camps, giving athletes space to be consistent.

“[They’re] identifying that the relays can bring medals given the depth that’s available… so the results are starting to come.” 

– Mosibodi Whitehead

Scroll up to the audio player to listen to the discussion.