Akani Simbine Biography: Wife, Age, Records, Net Worth, Height, Parents, Olympics, Stats

Akani Simbine, is a South African sprinter renowned for his prowess in the 100-meter event, earning the nickname “Sub-10 King” for running sub-10-second times for 11 consecutive years, surpassing Usain Bolt‘s record.

A consistent finalist in global championships, he has competed in three Olympic 100m finals and secured a silver medal in the 4x100m relay at the Paris 2024 Olympics.

Simbine’s explosive speed and calm demeanor have made him a standout figure in African athletics, with a national record of 9.82 seconds in the 100m. He is also recognized for his endorsements with brands like Adidas and Richard Mille.

Profile

• Full Name: Akani Simbine
• Stage Name: Akani Simbine (nicknamed “Sub-10 King” and “AK”)
• Born: 21 September, 1993
• Age: 31 years old
• Birthplace: Kempton Park, South Africa
• Nationality: South African
• Occupation: Professional Sprinter
• Height: 1.76m
• Parents: Elsie Simbine, Mr. Simbine
• Siblings: Unknown
• Spouse: Rachel Simbine (m. 2024)
• Children: None
• Relationship: Married
• Net Worth: $12 million

Early Life and Education

Akani Simbine was born on September 21, 1993, in Kempton Park, South Africa. Raised by his mother, Elsie Simbine, and his father, whose name is not publicly known, he grew up with an early passion for sports, particularly football, before transitioning to athletics. Information about his siblings is not known.

Simbine pursued a Bachelor of Information Science at the University of Pretoria, completing his degree in 2017 despite the demands of his athletic career. His ethnicity is South African, and his religion is not publicly known.

Career

Akani Simbine began his sprinting career in his late teens, transitioning from football to athletics after his high school headmaster encouraged him to pursue track. Coached by Werner Prinsloo, he burst onto the scene in 2012 by breaking the South African junior 100m record with a time of 10.19 seconds at the Zone VI Games in Lusaka.

His breakthrough came in 2015 when he equaled the South African 100m record of 9.97 seconds at the World Student Games in Gwangju, South Korea, earning the title of the world’s fastest student. In 2016, he set a new national record of 9.89 seconds and finished fifth in the 100m at the Rio Olympics.

Simbine’s career soared with consistent performances at major championships. In 2017, he became the first South African to break both sub-10 seconds in the 100m (9.93) and sub-20 seconds in the 200m (19.95) on the same day.

He won the 100m at the 2018 Commonwealth Games, outpacing Yohan Blake, and anchored South Africa to a 4x100m relay silver with a national record of 38.24 seconds. His 2021 season saw him set an African and South African record of 9.84 seconds, though it was later surpassed by Ferdinand Omanyala.

Simbine’s resilience shone through despite fourth-place finishes at the 2019 World Championships and 2020 Tokyo Olympics.

Currently, Simbine is at the peak of his career, having won all five of his 100m races in 2025, including three Diamond League events. He earned his first global individual medal, a bronze in the 60m at the 2025 World Indoor Championships, and anchored South Africa to a 4x100m relay silver at the Paris 2024 Olympics, setting a national record of 37.57 seconds.

His 9.82-second 100m at Paris 2024, another national record, marked his 40th legal sub-10-second time, cementing his legacy as Africa’s most prolific sub-10 sprinter. Simbine continues to inspire with his consistency and leadership in South Africa’s thriving sprinting scene.

Social Media

• Instagram Handle: @akani_simbine
• Facebook Handle: Akani Simbine
• Twitter Handle: @AkaniSimbine

Personal Life

Akani Simbine is married to his wife named Rachel, in a traditional ceremony in January 2024, sharing moments of their wedding on Instagram, where they appeared in coordinated attire.

Previously, he was romantically linked to netball player Jo Prins and news anchor Abigail Visagie, with the latter relationship ending in 2020. The couple has no children, and Simbine maintains a low-key personal life, focusing on his athletic career and family.

Net Worth

Akani Simbine has an estimated net worth of $12 million USD, driven by his successful sprinting career, lucrative endorsements, and sponsorships. His partnerships with brands like Adidas, Richard Mille, and previously Mercedes-Benz, along with prize money from Diamond League victories and major championships, form the backbone of his financial success.