South African sprinter Sinesipho Dambile says being compared with Jamaican great Usain Bolt is a "privilege" as he works to establish himself among the world's leading sprinters. The 24-year-old, the Commonwealth 200m champion, has enjoyed a breakthrough season and underlined his credentials as one of Africa's emerging track stars.
Speaking to the Warm Up Track podcast, Dambile said he "enjoys the pressure" that comes with being mentioned alongside the fastest man in history. "Pressure is a privilege," he said. "I love it because that's where I excel." He recalled meeting the eight-time Olympic champion at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where Bolt told him to enjoy the moment, advice that has stayed with him.
Dambile's form has improved steadily. He set a personal best of 19.97 seconds in Tokyo, where he finished eighth in the 200m final. This season, at the Diamond League meeting in Doha, he clocked 19.74 seconds, the fourth-fastest time recorded by any athlete in 2026. His high point came in July, when he won Commonwealth gold in Birmingham, becoming the first South African to win the event.
While the 200m remains his main event, Dambile says he is "mentally willing to put in the work" to follow Bolt's path into the 100m. A relaxed character, he contrasted his low-key approach with the showmanship of Olympic 100m champion Noah Lyles, saying he simply wants to enjoy the crowd and "make sure that everybody enjoys the show." He also credited his South African squad, including Akani Simbine, for helping push the group's success.
Source: BBC Sport · Summarized by HeadlinesBriefing