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Bayanda Walaza is confident on the anticipated epic 200m final clash with Australia's Gout Gout at the World U20 Championships in Lima, which he believes is war.
Newly crowned 100m world U20 champion Bayanda Walaza is highly optimistic on completing the sprint double in Lima despite running against pre-race favourite in Australia's Gout Gout.
The teen speedster became the fastest teenager in the world after storming to the 100m title in 10.19s (-0.9m/s) and cemented his name as the first South African to attain such a feat in the championship's history.
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12:33 - 29.08.2024
Bayanda Walaza: South African Olympic silver medallist becomes world's fastest teenager with historic 100m gold in Lima
High school student and Olympic silver medallist Bayanda Walaza blazed his way to the World U20 title in Lima to become South Africa's first 100m champion in the history of the championship.
Following his historic accomplishment, Walaza said he has his sight set on the sprint double and even the 4x100m gold to cap off his exceptional 2024 season.
"I want to do that and I'm capable to do it," said Walaza in an interview with @theathleticheat.
However, for his sprint double dream to come true, the 18-year-old has to overcome a tough force in Australian wunderkind Gout Gout, who is already being praised as the 'Next Usain Bolt'.
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12:17 - 28.08.2024
Gout Gout and Divine Iheme: Track fans divided on the 'Next Usain Bolt' debate now likened to a brewing Messi vs Ronaldo rivalry
Following Divine Iheme setting an age-14 world best and the viral video of Australia's wonder kid Gout Gout, track fans are divided on the 'Next Usain Bolt' debate which can be a future Messi vs Ronald rivalry of the 100m.
The young speedsters dominated their 200m heats as the Australian led the overall fastest standings with an easy 20.77s, while the South African cruised to 21.16s.
In the semifinals, Walaza turned things around by taking the overall fastest time in an impressive 21.00s as Gout Gout ran 21.07s for the third-fastest, thus setting up an epic clash in the final.
With both youngsters gunning to make their countries proud by winning the gold medal, it surely bodes for a highly anticipated final and fast time, one in which Walaza is ready to do whatever it takes to get the job done.
"If people are not that strong enough or people are not that serious enough to do this because we are not just here to play, this is war for some of us.
"Because we still have to prove to our countries that this is possible. So if I come here to hurt your feelings and all of that, sorry, but it's work."
Walaza's breakout year already has him with an Olympic silver medal as part of the South African 4x100m relay squad at the Paris Games. If he's able to accomplish his triple gold in Lima, the brewing speedster will just need to build on his strong foundation as a future world and Olympic champion.
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