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Aimee’s whistle of resilience, courage and ‘Sterkte” to the Boks

Adnaan MohamedFeatures, News, SA Sports Awards, SpringboksLeave a Comment on Aimee’s whistle of resilience, courage and ‘Sterkte” to the Boks

SUN CITY, NORTH WEST: From breaking barriers on the rugby field to facing breast cancer with extraordinary courage, Aimee Barrett-Theron continues to inspire. The most-capped female international referee in rugby history was named Technical Official of the Year at the South African Sport Awards. Her message to the Springboks ahead of their Cape Town clash with the All Blacks? “Sterkte.”

By Adnaan Mohamed

Aimee Barrett-Theron has spent years policing rugby’s most ferocious frontiers with a whistle, a stopwatch and nerves forged in the furnace of elite sport.

On Sunday night, 23 August, the trailblazing referee received another trophy for her extraordinary contribution, being named Technical Official of the Year at the 19th South African Sport Awards at Sun City Superbowl.

Her latest accolade came with an unmistakably human soundtrack. Barrett-Theron is halfway through treatment for breast cancer, temporarily away from the international rugby battlefield and drawing strength from the same discipline that carried her through some of the sport’s biggest arenas.

“The treatment’s going well. I’m about halfway through at the moment so it’s been quite a challenge not being on the field, but I’m still very much involved for coaching because I’m still very much involved here so it’s a tough time to be out there, but I’m still as supportive as I can,” she said.

The road back remains a marathon measured in courage rather than kilometres.

“Yeah, yeah, so a couple of tests and a lot of my friends out there referring I’d love to be supportive there but it’s 20% for the year,” Barrett-Theron said in the interview, reflecting on her curtailed involvement in officiating.

Her career has already smashed through several glass ceilings.

A former Springbok Women’s XVs and Sevens player, she swapped playing boots for the referee’s whistle and became the first woman to referee a men’s professional match in South Africa.

She has since taken charge of 52 international Tests, making her the most-capped female international referee in rugby history. Earlier in 2026, she became only the second woman ever to referee 50 Test matches.

Her CV reads like a roll of honour: the 2017 and 2025 Women’s Rugby World Cups, the Tokyo Olympics, the United Rugby Championship and the Women’s Six Nations.

Then came the diagnosis.

In July, Barrett-Theron announced her temporary departure from officiating after being diagnosed with breast cancer. She has confirmed the condition is treatable and is concentrating on treatment and recovery, with specialists guiding her through the process.

Rugby’s family responded with the force of a defensive line. World Rugby and SA Rugby leaders joined players, officials and supporters in sending messages of encouragement.

Her Sport Awards triumph added another medal to a career already heavy with milestones.

“It’s special to be able to get the trophy,” she said. “At the end of the day and to be recognised for the hard work that we put in”

Then came the question every South African wanted answered: could the Springboks beat the All Blacks at DHL Stadium on Saturday in the second Test of Rugby’s Greatest Rivalry?

For a moment, the referee’s hat came off.

“Yeah, when it comes to Springboks, I can take my referee hat off and I’d love the boys to have any positive results on the weekend.”

Her message to the Boks carried the warmth of a teammate standing beside the tunnel before kick-off.

“Yeah, just stack them on and good luck boys. Represents us the best you can. We know you’ve got it in you.”

And there was one final word, simple enough to fit on a dressing-room wall and strong enough to carry across the Cape Town wind:

“Sterkte.”

For Barrett-Theron, the whistle may be silent for now. Her voice remains firmly in the game.

South African sport has crowned her greatness. Rugby knows her resilience will be worth another standing ovation when she returns.

Under the glittering banner of “Crowned in Greatness”, the 19th South African Sport Awards delivered a night where champions, trailblazers and behind-the-scenes heroes took their bows.

Akani Simbine lead the winners at the 19th South African Sport Awards, with Prudence Sekgodiso, Pieter Coetze and Protea Test Cricket also honoured.

Simbine claimed Sport Star of the Year, adding another gleaming medal to an already formidable athletics legacy. The sprint king has spent years living on the razor’s edge of hundredths of a second, and this time the stopwatch gave way to the applause of a nation.

The Protea Men’s Test Cricket team pocketed Sport Team of the Year, another feather in Cricket South Africa’s cap after a campaign that demanded patience, character and plenty of backbone.

Prudence Sekgodiso was crowned Sportswoman of the Year, while swimmer Pieter Coetze took Sportsman of the Year. Athletics also supplied Coach of the Year Thabo Matebedi, ensuring the track-and-field brigade left Sun City with pockets bulging with silverware.

Young guns Bayanda Walaza, the Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year, and the Men’s Under-20 Rugby Team, named Youth/Junior Sport Team of the Year, showed that the pipeline is pumping.

Bayanda Walaza, the Youth/Junior Sport Star of the Year with SA swim legend Chad le Clos

Simoné Kruger won Sportswoman of the Year with a Disability, while Puseletso Michael Mabote claimed Sportsman of the Year with a Disability for para athletics.

The evening’s unsung heroes received their own standing ovation. Anthony Moruthane was named Sport Administrator of the Year, Nqobile Kunene Sport Volunteer of the Year, and Khokho Association South Africa Recreation Body of the Year.

Cricket South Africa collected National Federation of the Year, while Rachel Makhura took Sports Media Journalist of the Year, with photographer Skhu Nkomphela winning Sport Visual Journalist of the Year.

And then came the lifetime tributes, a reminder that sporting greatness is built over generations. Siya Vabaza-Booi, Selwyn Nathan and Veli Nhlapo received the Steve Tshwete Lifetime Achievement honour.

The Andrew Mlangeni Green Jacket went to William Mtolo, Teenage Dladla, Prof. Mlungisi Ngubane and Patson Banda, while Rayno Nel, Tasneem Solomons and Temba Bavuma were recognised for Excellence.

It was a night when South African sport looked in the mirror and saw its past, present and future staring back.

The crown fitted. The champions roared. And the sporting heartbeat kept thumping.

SA’s Gift Leotlela shines bright like a Diamond in Shanghai opener

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Adnaan Mohamed

South African sprinter Gift Leotlela produced a major statement at the opening meeting of the 2026 Wanda Diamond League season after storming to victory in the men’s 100m in Shanghai on Saturday.

Leotlela clocked 9.97 seconds in a race decided by the narrowest of margins, with the top three separated by hundredths of a second in a dramatic photo finish.

Kenya’s Ferdinand Omanyala took second in 9.98 after being added late to the field, while American sprinter Kenny Bednarek matched that time for third place.

It marked the first Diamond League victory of Leotlela’s career and continued a strong rise for the South African, who carried a personal best of 9.87 into the meeting.

“It means a lot to win my first-ever Diamond League,” Leotlela said afterwards.

“It is a first time in China for me, so to finish number one was a great feeling. I wanted to come here and enjoy myself and make a good start to the season.”

Leotlela said he focused more on execution than the clock in a field packed with proven international performers.

“I knew I am in great shape, but I didn’t want to think about time, just focus on my race. I had a decent start, not great. I just tried to keep my composure, stay in my rhythm and stay strong.”

The performance will strengthen belief that Leotlela can challenge consistently on the global stage this season, particularly with major championships looming later in the year.

“The main goal for me in 2026 is to win the Commonwealth Games and then on to the Ultimate Championships at the end of the season,” he said.

South Africa’s Akani Simbine finished sixth in 10.05, while Botswana Olympic champion Letsile Tebogo crossed seventh in 10.12 after balancing 100m and 400m races earlier this season.

The 2026 Wanda Diamond League season continues in Xiamen on 23 May before travelling to stops including Rome, Paris, London and Zurich ahead of the final in Brussels on 4 and 5 September 2026.

2026 Wanda Diamond League Fixtures

  • May 23: Xiamen
  • May 31: Rabat
  • June 4: Rome
  • June 7: Stockholm
  • June 10: Oslo
  • June 19: Doha
  • June 28: Paris
  • July 4: Eugene
  • July 10: Monaco
  • July 18: London
  • August 21: Lausanne
  • August 23: Silesia
  • August 27: Zurich
  • September 4–5: Brussels (Final)

Source: diamondleague.com/

Team South Africa secure double silver as records tumble in Gaborone

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, News, RacingLeave a Comment on Team South Africa secure double silver as records tumble in Gaborone

Picture credit: Anton Geyser for Athletics South Africa

Team South Africa will leave Botswana with two silver medals, US$40,000 in prize money and three new national records after the World Relays came to an end in Gaborone on Sunday.

The fierce rivalry between the host nation and the South Africans delivered a dramatic 4x400m final with Botswana getting the upper hand this time around.

The team of Lee Eppie, Letsile Tebogo, Bayapo Ndori and Collen Kebinatshipi delivered the perfect ending to the championships, sparking wild celebrations in the passionate home crowd. They crossed the finish line in a new championship record of 2 minutes 54.47 seconds with the South Africans taking over two and a half seconds off their previous national record to secure the silver in 2:55.07.

The massive SA record was due in large part to Pillay’s unprecedented split of 42.66 in the second leg, making him the fastest ever in 4x400m relay history.

Earlier in the afternoon, SA’s men’s 4x100m team of Mvuyo Moss, Cheswill Johnson, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine had set the tone by securing the silver behind the USA (37.43), also in a new national record.

Their new SA and African record of 37.49 eclipsed the record set by Bayanda Walaza, Shaun Maswanganyi, Nkoana and Simbine on their way to Olympic silver in Paris in 2024.

Simbine stormed past several teams down the home straight and just ran out of metres to overtake the USA’s Pjai Austin, who had the South African star hot on his heels.

The third SA record of the championship belonged to the SA women’s 4x100m team of Viwe Jingqi, Kayla la Grange, Gabriella Marais and Joviale Mbishe, who didn’t manage to reach the final but still had plenty to celebrate after breaking the 26-year-old record in the heats in a time of 43.22 seconds.

The other notable performance came from the mixed 4x400m team of Gardeo Isaacs, Rogail Joseph, Bradley Maponyane and Marlie Viljoen. 

Despite running close to the SA record in the heats, they just missed out on a place in the final but made the most of their second chance to qualify for the 2027 World Athletics Championships in Beijing in Sunday’s repechage, where they needed a top-two finish. 

They crossed the line first, winning in 3:12.77 to book their tickets to China alongside the SA men’s 4×100 and 4x400m squads. By reaching their respective finals, the SA men’s squads have also secured their qualification at the inaugural World Athletics Ultimate Championship in Budapest this September.

 

Simbine and Van Niekerk headline SA squad for Commonwealth Games 2026

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By Adnaan Mohamed

Akani Simbine, South Africa’s 100m record holder, headlines a squad that features nine other national record holder for the 2026 Commonwealth Games, set to take place in Glasgow, Scotland, from 23 July to 6 August.

The group has been trimmed from the initial 72 athletes announced in December, with the latest selection comprising 44 men and 24 women as preparations intensify.

Among those included are three athletes who reached the podium at the 2022 Commonwealth Games in Birmingham: 100m star Simbine, long jumper Jovan van Vuuren and 400m hurdles specialist Zenéy Geldenhuys.

Wayde van Niekerk, the world record holder over 400m, has been selected in the 200m, while Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Miné de Klerk (shot put), and marathon runners Elroy Gelant and Glenrose Xaba are also among the country’s record holders in the squad.

The provisional team further includes Olympic silver medallist Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), former world indoor champion Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), and ultra-distance specialist Gerda Steyn.

The final team to travel to Scotland will be confirmed at a later stage by the South African Sports Confederation and Olympic Committee (SASCOC).

ASA provisional Commonwealth Games squad

Men:
Akani Simbine (100m/4x100m), Shaun Maswanganyi (100m/4x100m), Gift Leotlela (100m/4x100m), Abduraghmaan Karriem (100m/4x100m), Retshidisitswe Mlenga (100m/4x100m), Tsebo Matsoso (100m/4x100m), Karabo Letebele (100m/4x100m), Bradley Nkoana (100m/4x100m), Bayanda Walaza (100m/4x100m), Sinesipho Dambile (200m/4x100m), Wayde van Niekerk (200m/4x400m), Naeem Jack (200m), Leendert Koekemoer (400m/4x400m), Matt Nortjé (400m/4x400m), Udeme Okon (400m/4x400m), Zakithi Nene (400m/4x400m), Lythe Pillay (400m/4x400m), Gardeo Isaacs (400m/4x400m), Mthi Mthimkulu (400m/4x400m), Tumisang Shezi (400m/4x400m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Ryan Mphahlele (1500m), Adriaan Wildschutt (10,000m), Antonio Alkana (110m hurdles), Mondray Barnard (110m hurdles), John Adesola (110m hurdles), Njabulo Mbatha (400m hurdles), Sabelo Dhlamini (400m hurdles), Jovan van Vuuren (long jump), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Luvo Manyonga (long jump), Kyle Blignaut (shot put), Aiden Smith (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus), Brian Raats (high jump), Kyle Rademeyer (pole vault), Douw Smith (javelin), Elroy Gelant (marathon), Adam Lipschitz (marathon), Thabang Mosiako (marathon), Tumelo Motlagale (marathon), Melikhaya Frans (marathon), Regan Magwai (marathon), Bennett Seloyi (marathon).

Women:
Miranda Coetzee (400m/4x400m), Shirley Nekhubui (400m/4x400m), Precious Molepo (400m/4x400m), Zenéy Geldenhuys (400m hurdles/4x400m), Hannah van Niekerk (400m hurdles/4x400m), Rogail Joseph (400m hurdles/4x400m), Marlie Viljoen (400m/4x400m), Prudence Sekgodiso (800m), Aviwe Hoboloshe (800m), Charné du Plessis (800m), Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles), Danielle Nolte (long jump), Miré Reinstorf (pole vault), Miné de Klerk (shot put), Ashley Erasmus (shot put), Colette Uys (shot put), Jo-Ané du Plessis (javelin), Mckyla van der Westhuizen (javelin), Jana van Schalkwyk (javelin), Jessica Groenewald (35km walk), Glenrose Xaba (marathon), Cian Oldknow (marathon), Dominique Scott-Efurd (marathon), Gerda Steyn (marathon).

Successful appeal hands SA sprint relay team chance to qualify for final

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on Successful appeal hands SA sprint relay team chance to qualify for final

The South African men’s 4x100m relay team was thrown a dramatic lifeline late on Saturday night at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo. That’s after a successful appeal for being impeded in their heat earlier in the evening. By Karien Jonckheere

First-leg runner Shaun Maswanganyi was bumped out of position by Italy’s 2020 Olympic champion Marcell Jacobs at the crucial first baton changeover, leaving Team SA’s hopes in tatters as they couldn’t finish the race. But the successful appeal has reopened the door. The sprinters will line up again in a timed relay on Sunday morning at 10.33am local time with one last shot to snatch a place in the final.

According to a World Athletics update: “If the South African team runs 38.34 or better (the 8th placed time qualified for the final) they will become the 9th team in the final and will run in lane 1. This will not affect the 8 teams already qualified.”

It means the same quartet of Maswanganyi, Sinesipho Dambile, Bradley Nkoana and Akani Simbine must regroup overnight and summon their very best, once more from the same lane six.

Meanwhile, Jo-Ané du Plessis finished just off the podium in fourth place in the women’s javelin final after a best effort of 63.06m. She admitted afterwards that the prospect of the final had seemed a daunting one after qualifying in a lowly 10th spot on Friday.

“When I woke up this morning, I was feeling like David against Goliath, so I’m happy. It’s not a medal but for me it’s like a gold medal, just showing up and still doing my best,” she said.

There were mixed fortunes for SA’s other relay teams in action on Saturday. The men’s 4x400m quartet of Gardeo Isaacs, Udeme Okon, Leendert Koekemoer and Lythe Pillay sailed to victory in their heat in convincing fashion, crossing the line in 2 minutes 58.81 seconds.

“My team did the job for me. I wanted to finish strong,” said Lythe, who ran the anchor leg. “I’ve felt what it’s like when you relax too much when you’re in the lead so I thought let me just go and whoever wants to catch me must fight to catch me.

“Our team is strong, we’re healthy, we’re hungry and we’re ready for the final tomorrow.”

The women’s 4x400m team of Shirley Nehkubui, Marlie Viljoen, Hannah van Niekerk and Zenéy van der Walt finished seventh in their heat in 3:28.14 and did not advance. 

Earlier on Saturday, Wayne Snyman was relieved to cross the line in the 20km race walk, but his 43rd-place finish in 1 hour 30.12 seconds was far from his target. The 40-year-old schoolteacher, who has retired and returned to the sport more than once, faced a difficult road to these championships – and an even harder race on the day.

“I started terribly. The first 9km was incredibly hard, I couldn’t breathe at all. I had to stop to vomit twice,” he admitted afterwards. “And I think after about nine and a half or 10, I actually started to get comfortable. Then I actually started racing, but then in a 20km, it’s far too late but I just couldn’t stop, I had to finish.”

South Africa also endured disappointment in the field events, with none of the three shot putters – Miné de Klerk (24th), Ashley Erasmus (30th) and Colette Uys (32nd) – advancing past qualification. Victor Hogan also missed out in the discus after managing 61.51m to place 24th overall.

SA sprint duo make 100m history, but medals prove elusive in Tokyo final

Roxanne MartinNewsLeave a Comment on SA sprint duo make 100m history, but medals prove elusive in Tokyo final

Akani Simbine and Gift Leotlela ensured South Africa had two representatives in the 100m final for the first time in World Athletics Championships history in Tokyo on Sunday. But a medal was not to be for the duo, with Leotlela finishing fifth in 9.95 seconds and Simbine seventh in 10.04. By Karien Jonckheere

After a false start from Botswana’s Letsile Tebogo, who was then disqualified, it was Jamaica’s Oblique Seville who outgunned the pack to take gold in a speedy 9.77 seconds, with his compatriot Kishane Thompson second in 9.82 and defending world champion and Olympic gold medallist Noah Lyles settling for bronze in 9.89 seconds.

Speaking afterwards, Simbine explained he had suffered cramp at the beginning of the race – something he wasn’t able to overcome to perform at his best.

“I cramped up a bit at the start and just couldn’t recover from that,” he said. “We’re just going to reassess how the body is and hopefully I’m good to go for the [4x100m] relay.”

Unlike Simbine, who has now featured in seven major championship finals, Leotlela was competing in his first after an impressive two days, which included running a blistering 9.87 seconds in the heats.

“It was amazing, I don’t want to lie, starting from last night, and I got a lot of confidence from the heats… I ran three sub-10s in two days, so I’ll take that as a big win.”

Adriaan Wildschutt finished in 10th spot in the 10,000m final earlier in the evening after losing touch with the leaders with just under a lap to go. He finished in 28 minutes 59.47 seconds, with the gold going to Frenchman Jimmy Gressier in 28:55.77 seconds.

“I just had to stay connected and conserve as much energy as possible and see how hard I could close. I didn’t quite have it towards the end, but I was there with 300m to go and I’m pretty proud of that,” said Wildschutt.

Earlier in the evening, both Zakithi Nene and Lythe Pillay eased through their respective heats to book places in the 400m semifinals. Current world leader Nene won his heat in 44.34 seconds with Pillay second in his heat in 44.73.

“Not a lot of athletes can say they’ve gone into world championships as world leader and that’s an achievement on its own that one should be proud of. So I’m wearing my bib with pride, I’ve got a target on my back, but I’m ready to defend it,” he said of the special blue numbers reserved for those who have run the fastest times of the year in each event. 

The other South Africans to impress on Sunday were Marioné Fourie, who finished second in her 100m hurdles heat in 12.86 seconds to book a spot in Monday’s semifinals, while Tshepo Tshite finished sixth in his 1500m heat in 3:36.36 to also progress to the next round.

Gift blazes to personal best as Team SA set relay record in Tokyo

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Gift Leotlela got South Africa’s campaign at the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo off to a speedy start on Saturday, blazing to a new personal best time in the 100m heats and booking a place in Sunday’s semifinal. By Karien Jonckheere

The 27-year-old has struggled with injury throughout his career, and even in the buildup to these championships, struggled with a tendon issue behind his knee. But there was no sign of that as he tore down the Tokyo track, finishing in 9.87 seconds to record the fastest time of the night – something he admitted afterwards, he wasn’t specifically targeting.

“I was just focused on executing my race and focusing on myself, and it came so I was really happy with that,” said Gift afterwards.

“It felt really good. I haven’t been putting my races together this season, so I actually put it together and everything clicked, the body was feeling good, and it was really a good run.”

Also comfortably through to the semifinals was a confident-looking Akani Simbine, who won the final heat of the night in 10.02 seconds.

“Very comfortable, very controlled. I think today was just about getting into the stadium and feeling the energy, and also controlling the race and controlling the pace of the race,” said Akani. “I think that was the whole plan – not spending too much energy today so that tomorrow I have a full tank to go into the semifinals and the final.”

Earlier in the day, the South African quartet of Gardeo Isaacs, Miranda Coetzee, Leendert Koekemoer and Zenéy van der Walt combined to set a new national and continental record in the 4x400m mixed relay. They finished third in their heat in 3 minutes 11.16 seconds to not only set the new mark, but also book a place in the final later in the evening.

“We were very happy. Our main goal was just to get into that final and running an area record is just a bonus,” said Zenéy afterwards. Speaking about his impressive leg of 44.14 seconds, 18-year-old Leendert added: “I basically just stuck to my race. I ran my own race, didn’t focus on other people and then when I executed what my style fits, it all worked out at the end.”

Just one race later, the Kenyan team eclipsed the new record in their heat, but the time didn’t stand as they were disqualified for a lane infringement.

Later in the final, Coetzee was replaced by Shirley Nekhubui in the SA team, who finished in sixth spot in a time of 3:11.89 while the United States took the gold in a championship record of 3:08.80.

Akani Simbine storms to world indoor champs bronze

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Akani Simbine finally has an individual medal from a major championship. 

That’s after the 31-year-old stormed to third place in the 60m final at the World Athletics Indoor Championships in Nanjing, China on Friday.

The Pretoria sprinter was, of course, the protagonist in leading the South African team to a 4x100m relay silver medal at last year’s Olympic Games in Paris. 

But, after coming so close at various major championships over the last decade, Friday’s performance saw Akani securing his first-ever individual podium place at a global event.

Britain’s Jeremiah Azu equalled his personal best to take the gold in a time of 6.49 seconds with Australian Lachlan Kennedy second by just one-hundredth of a second and Akani third in 6.54.

This is the first time Akani has competed at the World Athletics Indoor Championships, having only run one race indoors in the build-up to the event.

“It’s really good to get the medal as this is my first indoor championship ever in my life,” said an ecstatic Akani afterwards. “Coming in, running and getting a medal, I cannot ask for anything more. 

“I came with no expectations, only trying to see how far I can get in this run. I had never done this before, it’s all different, it’s all new.” 

He added that there is still work plenty of work to be done ahead of the outdoor season.

“Confidence-wise, this is bringing me up, but also, there is something I need to further work on, like the first 10 metres in the beginning of the race, and that would leave me less work to do at the end. I am now looking forward to the season and growing in the season and getting better.”

Earlier in the day, Prudence Sekgodiso ran a controlled race to claim victory in her 800m heat, winning in a time of 2:03.89.

That saw the 23-year-old Olympic finalist qualifying sixth fastest for the semifinals which are scheduled for the early hours of Saturday morning, South African time. The final will be contested on Sunday afternoon.

Just two other South Africans are competing in Nanjing. Cheswill Johnson will be in action in the long jump and Chris van Niekerk in the shot put – both on Sunday.

Team South Africa’s Sunday Results

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Team South Africa’s Sunday Results

Sunday was a busy day for Team SA, featuring events in athletics, cycling, and golf.  Star sprinter Akani Simbine reached the final of the men’s 100m when he won his semi-final in an impressive 9.87sec, He then went even faster for a lifetime best 9.82, but had to settle for fourth, for the second successive Games.

Athletics:
Men’s 100m, Semi Finals & Final
South African sprinter Akani Simbine reached the men’s 100m final at the 2024 Paris Olympics by winning his semi-final with an impressive time of 9.87 seconds. In the final, he achieved a personal best of 9.82 seconds, finishing fourth for the second consecutive Games. Simbine had been the fifth fastest qualifier after his semi-final win and a recent 9.86-second run in London. He had predicted that a sub-9.80 time would be necessary to win gold. 

Long Jump Qualification:
Jovan van Vuuren’s leap of 7.70m was unfortunately not enough to be in the top 12 distances to qualify for the next round. Cheswill Johnson was also not able to get through to the next round, with a jump of 4.49m.

Women’s 400m Hurdles – Round 1
Rogail Joseph ran a personal best time in her heat, finishing 2nd. She automatically qualifies for the semi-final on Tuesday, 6 August.

Zeney Geldenhuys finished third in her heat, achieving automatic qualification for the semi-final on Tuesday, 6 August..

Men’s 400m Round 1
Lythe Pillay finished his race in 7th position, which was not enough for automatic qualification for the semi-final. He will run in the repechage race on Monday, 5 August.

Zakhiti Nene finished 4th in his race, which was one position outside of the automatic qualification for the semi-final.
He too will be running in the repechage race on Monday, 5 August.

Men’s 100m Semi Finals
Shaun Maswanganyi finished 5th in his semi-final heat, achieving a season-best time. However, his position and time were not good enough to qualify for the final.

Benjamin Richardson ran a time below 10 seconds, clinching 3rd position. His position and time were also not enough for him to qualify for the final.

Women’s 800m Semi Final
Prudence Sekgodiso finished 2nd in her heat, gaining automatic qualification for the final. The final will be run on Monday, 5 August.

Golf: Individual Stroke Play – Round 4
Final results: Christiaan Bezuidenhout finished in 16th position overall on 10 under par, shooting -2 on the final day. Erik van Rooyen finished in 17th position on 9 under par, shooting -1 on Sunday. Eventual winner, Scottie Scheffler, finished at -19, shooting -9 on the day.

Cycling: Women’s Road Race
Ashleigh Moolman Pasio finished the race in 33rd position, while Tiffany Keep did not manage to finish the race.

Prudence and Akani light up the athletics weekend with world leads

Tanika LaskeyFeatures, NewsLeave a Comment on Prudence and Akani light up the athletics weekend with world leads

By Karien Jonckheere

Both Prudence Sekgodiso and Akani Simbine produced world-leading performances over the weekend, laying down important markers in the build-up to the Paris Olympics.

Competing in her first international race of the season, Sekgodiso ran a spectacularly timed 800m at the Diamond League meet in Marrakech on Sunday night to finish in a new personal best time of 1:57.26 which was also the fastest time in the world this year. The previous best of 1:57.56 had been set by Uganda’s Halimah Nakaayi just a day earlier.

“I didn’t expect to run so fast,” admitted the 22-year-old afterwards. “Winning was in my mind but not with such a fast time. It’s crazy fast. I am so proud of myself tonight.

“Achieving a world lead and a personal best is just amazing. But I cannot say that this performance will change something for me in terms of goals and expectations. For the Paris Olympics, I will try to reach the final. I want to be in the big eight.”

Sekgodiso confirmed her next race will be in Nancy, France on 25 May before heading to the Diamond League meet in Stockholm on 2 June.

Meanwhile, over in the USA, Simbine stormed to victory in the 100m at the Adidas Atlanta City Games in a sizzlingly quick 9.90 seconds. That saw him getting the better of continental rival Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, who was second in 10.00. Simbine’s time not only makes him the quickest in the world so far this year but also means he has now completed a full decade of running sub-10 second times each year.

Asked if his performance puts him in the conversation regarding being the king of African sprinters, Simbine simply smiled and said: “I’ve always been part of the conversation, I never left.”

As for his ambitions this season, the 30-year-old added: “I need to get my position on the [Olympic] podium so that’s what we’re working towards and I’m focused towards that.

“South Africa is making a lot of noise in the sprints,” he added.

“There’s a lot of us, not just from South Africa but the southern region of Africa… the youth that’s coming out are really great and I’m excited to be part of the Games still and be racing against these young kids so ja, I’m looking forward to it and hoping to stay on top.”