Akani Simbine can medal in the 100 metres during the Tokyo Olympic Games.
So believes Matthew Quinn, a 2001 World Championship relay gold medallist. His confidence is Simbine's abilities sprouts from the Tuks based sprinter's last two races.
"For me, Akani is definitely in the mix to a medal. He is, in fact, probably one of the favourites after the 9.84s he 'dropped' in Hungary. After that, he raced the Diamond League Meeting in Monaco, where he was second to Ronnie Baker."
Simbine's time of 9.84s is an Africa record and the second-fastest for the season. Only Trayon Bromell (USA) has been faster, running 9.77s in Florida. Baker is currently the third-fastest sprinter with a season's best of 9.85s.
"If Akani runs 9.84s or 9.80s, he is going to take gold. When you start running 9.99s and closer to 10 seconds, the race tends to open up. In Monaco, Baker won in 9.91s. Akani was second in 9.98s. The time gap between second and fourth was a mere 0.03s.
"I don't rate Bromell. He has not shown much form since the USA trials. To me, he is going to be the 'wildcard.' He either runs 9.80s or 10s. He has not got that middle ground as a sprinter.
"The big thing with Akani is that he has got big match temperament. An ability to channel himself and race. The World Championships in Doha was possible his biggest disappointment when he finished fourth. He honestly thought he should be on the podium.
"He lost that medal. He is hungry. It is that disappointment that is going to lead to him producing something special on Sunday. He is going to drop a fast time and 'blow' the field. He can dominate the 100 metres for some time."
According to Quinn, the 100 metres is about absolute perfection. There is no margin for error.
"It is about how you react, how come out of the starting blocks, drive out of the blocks . . . It is about all those small things a sprinter practise the entire two or three years in the buildup to the Games.
"Whatever Werner Prinsloo got Akani to do in training worked. He did run 9.84s. That is now got to come into play again on Sunday. Everything is going to boil down to nine seconds . . . nine seconds of glory."
Quinn was himself a sprinter. His best time of 10.08s over 100 metres is still one of the fastest times in South African athletics. In 2001 Quinn was part of the 4x100m-relay team that won gold during the 2001 Edmonton World Championships.
Gift Leotlela is the other Tuks based sprinter who will compete in the 100 metres from Saturday. He ran a personal best of 9.94s in May.
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