Commonwealth 200m champion Sinesipho Dambile says it is a “privilege” to be compared with Jamaican great Usain Bolt as he looks to establish himself among the world’s leading sprinters.
The South African has enjoyed a breakthrough season, producing a string of impressive performances and underlining his credentials as one of Africa’s emerging track stars.
Speaking to the Warm Up Track podcast, the 24-year-old revealed that 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.”
Dambile recalls meeting the eight-time Olympic champion at the 2025 World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, where the Jamaican offered him some advice.
“For Bolt, charisma naturally goes to him. Being able to meet him in person last year in Tokyo, he said: ‘Please make sure you enjoy this thing’.
“That, until this day, still stuck with me.”
Victory at last year’s South African national championships secured Dambile’s place in Tokyo, where he finished eighth in the 200m final, having set a new personal best of 19.97 seconds in the semi-finals.
That time was broken this season as Dambile accelerated his development.
June’s Diamond League meeting in Doha saw him clock 19.74 seconds – the fourth-fastest time recorded by any athlete in 2026.
He went on to finish second behind the USA’s Kenny Bednarek, but ahead of Botswana’s 2024 Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo, in last month’s Diamond League final in Brussels, while he was fourth in the inaugural Ultimate Championships.
However, the year’s high point was undoubtedly the Commonwealth gold medal won in Birmingham in July, a result which made him the first South African to win the event.
While it is clear the 200m remains Dambile’s principal event, he is “mentally willing to put in the work” to mimic Bolt, who likewise began his career specialising in the longer distance before going on to also dominate the 100m.
“He (Bolt) paved the way,” Dambile said.
“I spoke to my team a couple of times and I was like, ‘I want you guys to count me in on the 100m’.
“I want to do both. I know I’m going to be successful.”
