The South African Senior Track and Field Championships, held in Pietermaritzburg from 20-23 April 2024, showcased the nation’s rising athletics talent, with several athletes securing their spots for the upcoming Paris Olympics.
The event witnessed intense competition across various disciplines, as established stars and up-and-coming athletes battled for supremacy.
Young Sprinters Make Their Mark
In a thrilling 200m final, 20-year-old Benjamin Richardson announced his arrival on the big stage by outsprinting Olympic champion Wayde van Niekerk.
Richardson’s time of 20.16 seconds met the Olympic qualifying standard, setting the stage for an exciting showdown in Paris. Van Niekerk, who had already qualified for the Olympics in the 400m, finished second in 20.31 seconds.
The men’s 100m final also featured a rising star in 18-year-old Bayanda Walaza, who finished second behind seasoned campaigner Akani Simbine.
Walaza’s time of 10.27 seconds highlighted his immense potential and marked him as one to watch in the coming years. Simbine, who had already met the Olympic qualifying standard, won the race in 10.01 seconds.
Middle-Distance Athletes Book Their Olympic Tickets
The championships saw several athletes secure their spots in Paris in the middle-distance events. Lythe Pillay and Zakithi Nene both dipped under the 45-second mark in the 400m final, with Pillay taking the title in an impressive 44.31 seconds.
Nene, who had already qualified for the Olympics earlier in the season, finished second in 44.80 seconds.In the women’s 400m hurdles, Zenéy Geldenhuys and Rogail Joseph also met the Olympic qualifying standard.
Geldenhuys took the title in 54.72 seconds, with Joseph close behind in 54.84 seconds, just inside the qualifying mark of 54.85 seconds.
Relay Teams Show Promise
South Africa’s relay teams demonstrated their potential, with Athletics South Africa (ASA) committing to intensive preparation ahead of major international competitions.
The men’s 4x100m, 4x400m, and the mixed 4x400m teams have all provisionally qualified for the World Relays, boding well for their Olympic prospects.
The teams have participated in training camps and competed in the ASA Grand Prix Series in March, as well as the national championships.
Provinces Shine on the Medal Table
Athletics Gauteng North dominated the medal table, securing an impressive haul of 62 medals, including 26 gold, 18 silver, and 18 bronze. Boland, Central North West, Central Gauteng, and Western Province also put in strong performances, rounding out the top five provinces.
Team SA’s Olympic Qualifiers
Apart from the recorded qualifying marks at Msunduzi Stadium, several other athletes have already secured their spots in Team SA’s athletics squad for the Paris Olympics. These include:
- Luxolo Adams (200m)
- Prudence Sekgodiso (800m)
- Tshepo Tshite (1,500m)
- Adriaan Wildschutt (5,000m)
- Marioné Fourie (100m hurdles)
- Jovan van Vuuren (long jump)
In the marathon event, Stephen Mokoka, Gerda Steyn, and Irvette van Zyl have also booked their tickets to Paris.
Road to Paris 2024
With the Paris Olympics just months away, the SA Athletics Championships provided a platform for the nation’s top athletes to test their form and secure qualifying marks. As the qualifying window remains open until 30 June, more athletes will be looking to book their spots on Team SA.
The championships also highlighted the depth of talent in South African athletics, with a mix of established stars and rising youngsters showcasing their abilities.
While the likes of Van Niekerk, Simbine, and Sekgodiso have already qualified for the Olympics, the emergence of young talents such as Richardson and Walaza bodes well for the future of the sport in the country.
As the countdown to Paris continues, South Africa’s track and field athletes will be aiming to make their mark on the global stage, building on the successes and lessons learned from the national championships in Pietermaritzburg.
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