'Struggling' Simbine on fighting for Commonwealth silver: 'It fuels me more in my heart'

South African sprinter Akani Simbine fought as hard as he had ever done to capture silver in the men's 100m final at the Commonwealth Games in Birmingham on Wednesday evening.

Simbine had to settle for second behind Kenya's Ferdinand Omanyala after being unable to defend his 2018 Commonwealth Games title.

Running in lane 4, Simbine struggled out the starting blocks and, at the 50m, was trailing behind in fourth. But in true fighting spirit, Simbine surged in the last 25m to dip his head over the finish line and take silver in 10.13 seconds.

Omanyala powered his way through to be crowned the new Commonwealth champion in 10.02 seconds, with Sri Lanka's Yupun Abeykoon 0.01 milli-seconds behind Simbine to take bronze (10.14 seconds).

"I would've taken a sub-10 race and a clean race, but I'm struggling with my start at the moment, but I'm just happy, I came on the podium - the second time in the Commonwealth Games," said Simbine after the race.

"It was just to give it my all and try and make sure I get a clean race in, which I didn't. But I'm happy, I was able to fight and make my way back on the podium."

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Simbine admitted that he wasn't overly pleased with his performance but said the aime was always to reach the podium in Birmingham.

"To have medalled was always the goal, making sure I medal in major championships and I'm just happy I could fight my way back into a medal position," said Simbine.

"This year has been a championship year and to finally get a medal in a major event and finish off the year strong