Photo by Galo Images
FORGOTTEN sprinter, Simon Magakwe, is back and
determined to prove a point. Sprint kings Akani Simbine and Wayde van
Niekerk also welcomed back the faded star, whom they used to admire on the
track.
But they were quick to tease him and tell him his time
had come and gone. After serving a two-year ban, Magakwe got his first
taste of competition at the ASA Senior National Athletics Championships at
the Puk McArthur Stadium in Potchefstroom on Friday.
Van Niekerk said: “It’s exciting and it brings a bit of
spice to see him back.
“But it’s 2017, he has to catch up and give us that
little bit of motivation. “I was teasing him that he can’t keep up with us anymore
even though we all
started by watching him do well.”
Simbine also had his say about the return of Mzansi’s
six-time champion.
“It’s good to see him back and I’m keen to see if he can
pose a real challenge against me,” Simbine said.
Magakwe made an emotional return as he got a standing
ovation from his home crowd.
He clocked 10,40 seconds to win the 100m heats.
Magakwe finished second
behind Van Niekerk in the semi-finals.
behind Van Niekerk in the semi-finals.
But slipped and fell to finish last in the 100m final
won by Simbine with 9,95 seconds.
Magakwe said: “The people still love me, it was
emotional and I think I still have it.’’
Magakwe was training with Premier Soccer
League outfit Platinum Stars to keep fit and nearly earned himself
a
contract.
contract.
Magakwe added: “Due to the frustration of being out, I
was considering turning into a
professional footballer, but, athletics is my first love.”
professional footballer, but, athletics is my first love.”
The former SA champion has been in the
wilderness for too long, but he’s hoping to qualify for the IAAF World
Championships in London in August.
During his two-year absence, the likes of Simbine, Anaso
Jobodwana, Gift
Leotlela, Clarence Munyai, and Thando Roto became heads and shoulders above him as they have dipped under the sub-10 mark in competitive events.
Leotlela, Clarence Munyai, and Thando Roto became heads and shoulders above him as they have dipped under the sub-10 mark in competitive events.
“I won’t hang up my spikes and I’m determined to prove
the doubters wrong. The current crop of youngsters don’t faze me, although I
haven’t been running competitively, I’m in good condition,” he
added.
added.
He says he’s ready to write a new chapter.