Vanessa 
South Africa’s rising sprint star, Bayanda Walaza, has etched his name in history by becoming just the ninth South African to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m sprint, and he’s only 19 years old.
Competing at the Gauteng North Championships at Pilditch Stadium on Saturday, Walaza stormed to victory in 9.99 seconds, shattering the national under-20 record and reinforcing his status as one of the country’s most promising young athletes.
The U20 world 100m and 200m champion outpaced Gift Leotlela (10.17s) and Emile Erasmus (10.26s) to claim the provincial title, joining an elite group of just seven U20 athletes worldwide to achieve this feat. Among them is Botswana’s sprint sensation Letsile Tebogo, the second-fastest junior sprinter in history with a 9.91-second record.
A Meteoric Rise to Stardom
Hailing from Katlehong, Gauteng, Walaza has been making waves since high school, where his speed saw him shine in both national and international competitions.
In 2024, while still in high school, he made history as the youngest South African Olympic medalist, securing silver in the 4x100m relay at the Paris Olympics. Later that year, he dominated the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru, claiming gold in both the 100m and 200m events.
Balancing Speed and Studies
Despite receiving offers from top international universities, Walaza has chosen to pursue his studies at Tshwane University of Technology (TUT).
“TUT is not just a university; it is a community of champions. I’m excited to be part of an environment that values academic and athletic excellence. I am determined to move from good to great in both,” said Walaza.
TUT Vice-Chancellor Professor Tinyiko Maluleke praised the young star, stating: “TUT is ready to help this indomitable South African athlete accomplish his loftiest academic dreams.”
With his blazing speed and determined mindset, Bayanda Walaza is proving to be more than just a sprinting prodigy, he’s a future track legend in the making.
