2025: YEAR IN REVIEW | Breakthroughs, heartbreaks and a challenging world athletics stage for TeamSA

The year 2025 was one of contrasts for South African athletics. While several individuals delivered standout performances, TeamSA once again struggled on the world stage.

A contingent of 49 athletes tried to end an eight-year medal drought at the World Championships in Tokyo but returned with just one medal – the 4x400m relay bronze – underscoring the ongoing challenges of aligning the domestic season with the global calendar.

For athletes like Bayanda Walaza, the year ended in heartbreak as injury robbed the young sprint sensation of a realistic medal chance.

Simbine: Early-season spark

The year began brightly with encouraging signs from South Africa’s sprint king, Akani Simbine, who won bronze in the men’s 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing on 21 March. His fine early-season form continued outdoors as he dipped below 10 seconds consistently and reeled off back-to-back Diamond League victories.

Tokyo, however, proved harsh. Simbine fell short of expectations in the 100m, yet the veteran sprinter refused to let one championship define an otherwise strong year.

“2025 was a successful year," Simbine said, last week.

"I am not going to bash it down due to one championship or one competition. It was a good year. It started off well, winning a medal at the indoors and a couple of races in the Diamond League circuit.

"So, for me it was a successful year. Just one competition didn’t go well but I am not just going to bash myself for that. I am happy and looking forward to building for next year as well,” he said.

Simbine also highlighted the difficulty of maintaining peak condition throughout a long global season.

“Having a peak in April, then expecting another in June and another in September becomes very difficult,” he admitted.

Sekgodiso: Middle-distance star power

In middle-distance running, Prudence Sekgodiso continued her rise as one of the country’s most exciting talents. The 23-year-old made history by becoming the first South African woman to win a medal at the World Indoor Championships, claiming gold in the 800m with a national record.

“It’s a surprise. You have the world’s fastest in the race, but I believed that I could make it, and to make it and grab that gold medal, I’m proud,” she said afterwards.

Although her outdoor season did not reach the same heights, her tactical growth and composure against world-class fields cemented her reputation as a looming global medal contender. Domestically, she secured a commanding double at the SA Championships in the 800m and 1500m.

World Relays in China: A bright spot

While Simbine’s indoor bronze was his first individual global medal, relays once again proved to be South Africa’s strength.

At the World Relays in Guangzhou, the men’s 4x100m quartet of Walaza, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Simbine produced a world-leading 37.61 to claim gold – just 0.04 seconds shy of the SA record.

The 4x400m team delivered another impressive victory, with Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Zakithi Nene winning in 2:57.50. The 18-year-old Koekemoer was one of the pleasant surprises of the season, showing glimpses of elite potential over the one-lap event.

Zak Nene’s breakthrough season

Few athletes grew more in stature this year than Zakithi Nene. The 400m runner from KwaZulu-Natal consistently lowered his times throughout the season, setting a world lead in Kenya that stood for months.

In Tokyo, he anchored the 4x400m relay team to South Africa’s only medal of the championships. Although he narrowly missed an individual podium, Nene’s maturity and endurance confirmed his arrival as a global contender.

Jo-Ané du Plessis throws down new markers

In the field events, Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis enjoyed one of the strongest campaigns of her career.

She consistently challenged the world’s best javelin throwers throughout the Diamond League season and frequently threatened personal best territory. In Tokyo, she narrowly missed out on a medal in a tense final, but the consistency of her performances reinforced her status as one of South Africa’s most reliable global athletes.

A year that re-energised the future

Despite the disappointment in Tokyo, the broader picture for South African athletics was not bleak.

Simbine’s resurgence, relay dominance in China, Nene’s blossoming form, Koekemoer’s emergence, Du Plessis’ consistency and Sekgodiso’s historic indoor triumph provided renewed optimism. The men’s sprint and 400m ranks in particular appear well stocked, led by a blend of veterans and rising stars.

With the next global cycle approaching, South Africa enters 2026 with depth, momentum and a new generation capable of producing medals on the world stage.