Bayanda Walaza shows his joy and patriotism after winning his second gold medal at the World Athletics U20 Championships in South America. Photo: World Athletics

Double Gold Glory for Pretoria’s Bayanda Walaza at World Athletics U20 Championships

Pretoria’s athletics prodigy, Bayanda Walaza, has etched his name into the annals of history with an unprecedented double gold performance at the World Athletics U20 Championships in Lima, Peru. By clinching both the 100m and 200m titles, Walaza has joined an elite group of athletes as only the fourth junior ever to achieve this remarkable feat.

Just two days after triumphing in the 100m final, where he reaffirmed his status as the world’s fastest teenager, Walaza dazzled once again in the 200m. His stellar time of 20.52 seconds secured him the gold, solidifying his reputation as a sprinting sensation. Walaza’s dominance was evident as he set the fastest time in the heats and continued his winning streak in the finals.

This landmark achievement marks the first time in 26 years that an athlete has won double gold at this prestigious event. Walaza joins the ranks of notable sprinting legends like Britain’s Christian Malcolm (1998), Nigeria’s Francis Obikwelu (1996), and Trinidad and Tobago’s Ato Boldon (1992).

Despite his historic victories, Walaza was unable to vie for a third medal in the 4x100m relay. The South African relay team, lacking Walaza’s sprinting prowess, was disqualified from the final due to a technical error during the baton exchange in the first heat.

Adding to the national pride, another South African, Udeme Okon of the University of Johannesburg, claimed gold in the 400m final. Together, Walaza and Okon ensured that South Africa’s young sprinters dominated the championship, securing gold medals across the 100m, 200m, and 400m events.

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