“A Warrior and a Fighter”: Bayanda Walaza Blazes to FISU Gold in Germany

South Africa’s 19-year-old sprint sensation proves he’s built for the big stage

Bayanda Walaza isn’t just fast — he’s fearless. And on a cool evening in Rhine-Ruhr, Germany, the world under-20 100m champion proved why he’s one of South Africa’s most electric young talents, sprinting to gold at the 2025 FISU World University Games.

With a performance that had both grit and swagger, Walaza stopped the clock in style and soaked in the adoration of a buzzing international crowd. His gold medal pushed Team South Africa’s tally to 10, with relay events still on the horizon.

But this wasn’t just a race. It was a moment of self-affirmation for the Tshwane University of Technology (TUT) athlete.

“I am a warrior”

“I arrived in Germany with not a lot of training under my belt,” Walaza told SABC Sport after his win, “but I quickly convinced myself that I am a warrior and a fighter.”

That belief coursed through his performance — a blend of raw speed and sharp mental focus. Coming off a packed racing season, Walaza’s preparation may have been less than perfect, but his mindset more than made up for it.

Handling the pressure — and the false starts

This year’s Games have seen their fair share of drama, with false starts creating tension on the track. But Walaza has learned how to keep his cool — a vital edge in high-stakes sprinting.

“I don’t get irritated by false starts as much as I used to,” he said. “When you’re ready to explode and someone jumps early, it drains your energy. But now I focus on staying calm and collected.”

His ability to remain unfazed is what separates him — and it’s something that resonates with fans back home, who’ve flooded social media with messages of support and national pride.

Backing his boys: Team spirit on the track

Walaza was quick to give props to teammate Kyle Zinn, who made it to the 100m final but finished fifth with a time of 10.42 — slower than his earlier rounds. The two will team up again for the 4x100m relay, and Walaza has no doubt they’ll deliver something special.

“I believe in the relay team so much, and people should expect fire,” he said. “I’m super proud of Kyle — he’ll one day be one of the scariest sprinters in the world.”

That kind of belief is contagious. It’s what turns a medal-winning performance into something more meaningful — a symbol of brotherhood, resilience, and the hunger to represent South Africa on a world stage.

A glimpse into the future of South African athletics

At just 19, Walaza is already making his mark beyond youth titles. His rise echoes the legacy of greats like Akani Simbine and Wayde van Niekerk, and signals the depth of talent coming through South Africa’s university athletics system.

There’s still more to come at the FISU Games — especially in the relays — but if Walaza’s individual performance is anything to go by, South Africa’s sprint future looks blindingly fast.

Source:Sabc Sport

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