South African sprinter Bayanda Walaza has not only raced his way into the record books at the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 in Lima, but he has also captured the hearts of sports enthusiasts around the globe.
The youngster’s remarkable performances and charismatic presence have made him a standout figure in the world of athletics.
Here are seven fascinating things to know about this phenomenal athlete.
Bayanda Walaza was born in Katlehong, a locality in Ekurhuleni, Gauteng, near Johannesburg. His early life was marked by a tragic event when he was just ten years old — the loss of his father in a violent confrontation. This tragedy played a significant role in shaping his early years and personal growth.
Despite this early trauma, Walaza’s mother, Tholiwe, made substantial efforts to maintain a sense of normalcy and ensure her son’s wellbeing. She sought the help of social workers and counselors to help Bayanda cope with the loss. Their support proved crucial in helping him navigate his grief and focus on his education and future.
Walaza’s resilience is reflective of his mother’s determination to see him succeed. His academic and athletic pursuits at Hoerskool Vorentoe in Katlehong provided a much-needed outlet for his energy and talent, eventually leading him to athletics, where he began to truly excel.
Bayanda Walaza began his athletics career relatively late but quickly made a mark. At 16, he clocked impressive times of 11 seconds in the 100m and 22.62 seconds in the 200m at meets in Potchefstroom and Pretoria, respectively.
His prowess on the track became even more evident when he clinched a bronze medal at the African Under-18 Championships in Ndola, Zambia, in April 2023. .
By 2024, Walaza had improved his personal bests to 10.13 seconds in the 100m and 20.34 seconds in the 200m at the South African Under 20 Championships.
At the World Athletics U20 Championships 2024 in Lima, Walaza not only won the gold in both the 100m and 200m but also contributed to a historic moment for South Africa. His performance helped his country secure all three sprinting titles at the championships for the first time, including the 400m, won by fellow South African Udeme Okon.
The victories in Lima were not just about medals but also about setting records. Walaza’s time of 20.52 seconds in the 200m and 10.19 seconds in the 100m demonstrated his explosive speed and competitiveness on the global stage.
These wins placed him among the elite sprinters who have achieved the ‘golden double’ at the Under 20 World Championships, joining the ranks of Ato Boldon, Francis Obikwelu, and Christian Malcolm.
The Paris Olympics 2024 saw Walaza not only competing but excelling on one of the biggest stages in sport. He was a pivotal part of the South African men’s 4×100 m relay team, which won a historic silver medal — the first Olympic medal for South Africa in this discipline since 2004 and the first ever by an African nation.
His performance in the relay, particularly in the heats where he ran the first leg, helped propel the team into the finals. Although the USA was initially ahead, their disqualification allowed South Africa to shine, nearly clinching the gold.
Tholiwe Walaza, his mother, expressed her pride and joy in an interview with IOL Sport, saying, “He lost his father in a violent fight, when his dad got shot. He experienced all that. After that it was tough. As a mother I had to do something. I went for counseling and for social workers to help. After we buried his father, he was going for counseling.”
Walaza’s training regimen is as intense as his racing schedule. Based in Johannesburg, he spends several hours a day focusing on sprint mechanics, strength training, and tactical racing strategies. This rigorous preparation has been key to his rapid ascent in the sprinting world.
His coaches emphasize not just physical training but also mental and tactical preparation. Understanding race dynamics and competitor strategies has been crucial in Walaza’s development, allowing him to execute his races with precision.
Moreover, his willingness to learn and adapt has been praised by his coaching team, who see him as not just a talented athlete but a student of the sport, always eager to improve and push his limits.
Walaza looks up to several sprinting legends, drawing inspiration from their careers and achievements. Usain Bolt, Wayde van Niekerk, and Michael Johnson are among the figures he admires most. Their successes at the Olympic and World Championship levels inspire him to aim for the same heights in his career.
He also holds a deep respect for his fellow countrymen, like Akani Simbine, who have paved the way for South African sprinters on the international stage. Simbine’s guidance and mentorship have been invaluable as Walaza navigates his burgeoning career.
Looking ahead, Walaza has his sights set on more than just medals. He aims to become a role model for young athletes in South Africa and around the world, using his platform to inspire others who may face similar challenges as he did.
His goals include improving his times further and consistently competing at the highest levels of the sport, including the World Championships and the next Olympic Games. With his track record of rapid improvement and success, the future looks bright for this young sprinter.
