Bayanda Walaza: South African youngster set for indoor debut against 60m heavyweights in Madrid

South African sprint sensation Bayanda Walaza is set for his first professional indoor race at the World Indoor Tour Gold meet in Madrid on February 6.

The youngster who's known as the world's fastest teen after clinching the sprint double at the 2024 world junior championships in Lima, will be gunning to kick off his first indoor professional season on an impresive note against some of the world's best 60m heavyweights.

Top on the list is USA's Ronnie Baker, the 2018 world indoor bronze medallist and the third-fastest man in history over the distance with a time of 6.40 seconds.

The lineup is further strengthened by Americans Marcellus Moore (6.56s) and Coby Hilton (6.53s). They will be joined by Great Britain's Eugene Amo-Dadzie, Omani record holder Ali Al Balushi, and Japanese record holder Shuhei Tada.

A surprise inclusion is world 60mH record holder Grant Holloway, who will step down from his trademark event to test his speed in the 60m.

After having a torrid 2025 season highlighted by not making the 100mH final at the World Championships in Tokyo last summer, the American hurdling icon will aim to make a comeback this year starting off in Madrid against against some of the world's best 60m sprinters.

With an unparalleled legacy in the hurdles, that includes three respective world titles in the 60mH and 110mH, Holloway's collection of accolades expands to an Olympic gold and silver medal, four U.S. titles, and nine Diamond League victories. His winning streak in the 60mH is staggering, stretching back to 2015 and covering 78 consecutive races

Madrid brings great memory as the venue he set his 60mH world record on February 21, 2021, which he will hope the venue can bring him the same fortune this time in flat event.