Simon Magakwe Speed of Light
Simon Magakwe Words by Wilhelm de Swardt Photo by Reg Caldecott
Speed of Light
26
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Athletics
The year 2014 might just turn out to be the year in which South African sprinters will begin to rewrite the record books. And it will be none too soon. Photo by BackPage Media
The prediction made in the January edition of Game On turned out to be prophetic, thanks to the excellent performances by Simon Magakwe and Akani Simbane in the 100 m final of the South African Athletics Championships at the LC de Villiers stadium at Tuks.
Magakwe astonished one of the biggest athletics crowds in quite a few years with his winning time of 9.98 s. Simbane finished second in a time of 10.02 s. Seconds after completing his ‘dream sprint’ Magakwe announced to the cheering crowd that his performance was just a sample of what was still to come. This led to even louder cheering. Magakwe was in his element. When asked about Usain Bolt (Jamaica’s world record holder, Olympic and World Champion) he jokingly retorted, “Who is Usain Bolt?!” Magakwe had reason to be somewhat cocky, because it was the first time in the history of South African athletics that a South African sprinter was able to break the 10-second barrier. It is interesting to note that Magakwe was only the 90th athlete to do so since 1968.
Speed of Light
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
27
Simon Magakwe Speed of Light
With his lightning-fast performance, Magakwe bettered one of the oldest South African athletics records, namely Johan Rossouw’s record of 10.06 s in the 100 m. Rossouw’s record dates back to 1988. It was gratifying to note that Simbane also managed to run a time faster than 10.06 s. Judging by his performance there is a realistic chance that South Africa will be able to boast two sub-ten sprinters before the end of the year.
The fact that it was Magakwe who was the first South African athlete to run a time faster than 10 seconds seems to be justified. The first time he was noticed by the media happened five years ago. Magakwe arrived at the South African Athletics Championships in Stellenbosch carrying his clothes in a plastic bag. Not even the fact that he had to borrow a pair of spikes from Hezekiel Sepeng because he did not have his own, could deter him from winning the 100 m in a time of 10.22 s.
At the time Magakwe was officially unemployed. His only income came from taking ID document photos in Carletonville. Success begets success. Magakwe has not been beaten in the 100 m at the national championships since 2010. He never made a secret of his ambition to be the one who would better Rossouw’s record and be the first to break the 10 s barrier as well. At the 2012 South African Students Championships at the University of Johannesburg he equalled Rossouw’s record, proving that he was not just making small talk. Unfortunately various injuries at crucial times prevented Magakwe from running to his true potential.
Magakwe admitted that he was somewhat worried before his magic final. 28
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Athletics
“I was having slight cramps, but my coach, Eugene Thipe, applied his magic touch to help me to relax. When going into the starting blocks I was totally focused and confident about running a fast time. Luckily I had a good start. My legs still felt strong going into the last 30 metres, so I pushed myself even harder.” “Crossing the line I heard the crowd going wild. I will never ever forget the moment I realised that I ran a time of 9.99 s. It was even more special because I was able to give the people what they wanted.” (Magakwe’s time was later adapted to 9.98.)
Magakwe is also proud that his subten performance is a 100% South African effort.
“My coach, Eugene, was born and bred in South Africa and I am also a true South African. This just proves that you don’t have to go to the USA, or any other country, to run fast times. Anything is possible right here in South Africa if you put your mind to it and believe in yourself.”
Photo by BackPage Media
Simon Magakwe
Speed of Light
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
29
Simon Magakwe Speed of Light
Thipe, who dreamt the night before the race that Magakwe would run a time of 9.87 s in the final, was quite emotional afterwards.
“I cannot take any credit for what has happened. All credit should go to God. He is the one who made our dream come true.” Thipe is confident that Magakwe is capable of running even faster times.
“I don’t expect this to happen the next time he races, but I just know that it will happen. To me as his coach, it is very important that Simon will consistently run times of 9.9 and faster. It is important that we step up to the next level to be able to compete with the big guys.” But there still remains another important challenge for South African sprinters. They have to replicate this speedy performance at sea level. Athletes seem to have a mental block about performing at sea level, but in order to stand any chance of winning a medal at the Olympic Games or World Championships, they will have to overcome this phobia. Since the 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico there has never been a Games at high altitude.
SIDE BAR Written by Sandra Johnson who is a long-time fan of Olympic sports.
The 1968 Olympic Games in Mexico City was marked by world records, new techniques and exciting accomplishments, especially when it came to track and field. American Bob Beamon smashed the long jump world record, American Dick Fosbury introduced the ‘Fosbury Flop’ to fans all around the world, and American Jim Hines became the first person to run faster than 10.0 seconds in the 100 m sprint. Hines, who grew up in Oakland, California, didn’t originally plan on becoming a track and field prodigy. Instead, as a child, he wanted to play baseball and emulate Willie Mays, who was, according to Hines, the ‘greatest ball player of all time’. Eventually, a track and field coach would identify Hines for his talent on the track, and
30
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
Hines changed idols. Instead of wanting to play centre field, Hines decided he wanted to be like sprinter Bob Hayes. Hayes had run the 100 m race in a time of 10.06 s, setting the world record at the 1964 Olympic Games. Four years after Hayes, Hines went on to outdo his idol. He broke Hayes’ world record, winning the 1968 Olympic race in a time of 9.95 s. Hines also was a member of the gold-medal-winning and world-recordsetting men’s 4 x 100 m relay. Carl Lewis was the first sprinter to break ten seconds at low altitude under electronic timing, with a time of 9.97 s on 14 May 1983 at the Modesto Relays.
ATHLETE SPORTING FEATURE: Athletics
Photo by Reg Caldecott
SIDE BAR South Africa’s sprinting heroes: 100 yards: Reggie Walker won gold at the 1908 Olympic Games in London. Times faster than the world record: Danie Joubert achieved 9.4 s in Grahamstown on 31 May, 1931, and Paul Nash 10.0 s in Krugersdorp on 2 April, 1968. Unfortunately their times were not officially recognised because the wind from behind was too strong.
Simon Magakwe
Speed of Light
Game On Magazine, April / May: Issue 06, 2014
31