South African sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza continued his remarkable rise on the international athletics circuit by clocking a sensational new personal best of 9.89 seconds to win the men’s 100 metres at the TIPOS meeting in Banská Bystrica, Slovakia.
Also see: Bayanda Walaza storms to victory at Ostrava Golden Spike
The 20-year-old produced the race of his career, becoming the first South African to break the above-mentioned barrier this season as he surged clear of a quality field.
Bayanda’s winning time improved his previous personal best of 9.94 seconds and underlined his growing status as one of the world’s most exciting young sprinters.
Bayanda Walaza 🇿🇦 has just run a Personal Best (PB) of 9.89s (1.0) to win the men’s 100m at the TIPOS P-T-S Meeting in Banská Bystrica!
He becomes South Africa’s fourth man to run under the 9.90s.
Behind him, Ackeem Blake 🇯🇲 cane home in 10.04s, while Andre de Grasse 🇨🇦 was 3rd… pic.twitter.com/XboZDAQWJb
— Track & Field Gazette (@TrackGazette) July 21, 2026
Bayanda Walaza clocks a sensational 9.89s to win the men’s 100m in Slovakia. 🏆
✅ Personal Best
✅ Meeting Record
✅ Fourth-fastest South African in historyThe rise continues. 📈 pic.twitter.com/t3OfJcDhzT
— Team South Africa (@OfficialTeamRSA) July 21, 2026
Jamaica’s Ackeem Blake finished second after crossing the line in 9.93 seconds, while the rest of the field were left trailing as Bayanda delivered a composed and explosive performance from start to finish.
The victory continues an outstanding 2026 campaign for the South African, who has consistently challenged the world’s elite.
Earlier this season, the sprinter equalled his then personal best of 9.94 seconds to win the prestigious Golden Spike meeting in Ostrava, confirming his ability to perform on the biggest stages.
Also see: Bayanda Walaza has forgotten how to lose, records new personal best
Impeccable performance
His latest performance in Slovakia is another major milestone in a career that has progressed rapidly over the past two years.
Running 9.89 seconds not only marks a personal breakthrough but also places Bayanda among the fastest men in the world this season. Walaza’s victory in Slovakia is another statement that South Africa’s next sprint superstar has truly arrived.
20-year-old Bayanda Walaza 🇿🇦 storms to a 9.89s PB, the fourth-fastest time ever by a South African, to win in Banská Bystrica.
🥈 🇯🇲 Ackeem Blake – 10.04s
🥉 🇨🇦 Andre De Grasse – 10.05s pic.twitter.com/R6B1BM2ejv— Jumpers World (@jumpers_world) July 21, 2026
Also see: Bayanda Walaza stands on business and becomes the fastest man in 2025
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