It was an explosive weekend of competition for the girls and women competing in the Athletics South Africa’s Youth Junior, U23 Track and Field Championships, at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria West from 21-23 March, 2024.
Danielle Nolte was the first big winner as she became the U23 SA Long Jump champion, this victory sees her win her second national title in Pretoria after completing a 6.42-meter jump to secure the triumph.
A weekend highlight was double gold medalist, 15-year-old Minke Dekker, who claimed the U16 Girls 3000m meter title in a time of 9:40.04 on Saturday, adding to her U16 1500m crown won on Friday.
Another leading opening day result included accomplished track and field star Alicia Khunou winning the U20 Shot Put title, with a throw of 15.11 meters on Thursday.
On Friday, reigning South African 20km champion Marrisa Swanepoel was in fine form as she completely decimated the women’s U23 10km Racewalk field to win her race in a time of 51:05.56.
Tumi Ramokgopa showed just why she is a talent to watch for the future, when grade 11 student set a second Personal Best of the meet to win the U18 girls 100m hurdles title in fine form.
Speaking after her win on ASA’s X account, Ramokgopa said she was pleased with her race after clocking a time of 13.26.
“It was a good race, I’m not going to lie. When I was there, I was nervous, and in my heart, I was also nervous, but I just told myself that I was going for it.”
“I ran a PB in the heat and why can’t I run a PB in the final?
U18 girls 100m hurdles champion, Tumi Ramokgopa
“So that’s what I did, I was aiming for the record but that’s not the time but I am going to get it, the year is not going to end without me breaking the record,” said Ramokgopa. “I’m going to fight and do whatever it takes to get that, but at this point, I am very emotional and proud.”
Selected Results of the Athletics South Africa’s Youth Junior, U23 Track and Field Championships, at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria West from 21-23 March, 2024
U23 Long Jump
Gold – Danielle Nolte
Silver – Karmen Fouche’
Bronze – Joane Gerber
U20 Shot Put
Gold – Alicia Khunou
Silver – Chloe Serotti
Bronze – Mignon le Grange
U23 Racewalk 10km
Gold – Marrisa Swanepoel
Silver – Janise Nel
Bronze – Amahle Cebekhulu
U18 100m hurdles
Gold – Tumi Ramokgopa
Silver – Nokuthula Mthethwa
Bronze – Dine le Roux
U16 3000m
Gold – Minke Dekker
Silver – Nicola Smith
Bronze – Elandri Coetzee
U16 1500m
Gold – Minke Dekker
Silver – Liesa Kruger
Bronze – Carla Britz
Main Photo Caption: It was an explosive weekend of competition for the girls and women competing in Athletics South Africa’s Youth Junior, U23 Track and Field Champs at the Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria West, from 21-23 March, 2024. Photo: Minke Dekker on Facebook
Photo 2 Caption: Minke Dekker has written her name in gold after winning both the U16 1,500m title on Friday and the U16 3,000m title on Saturday. Photo: Rethabile Qekisi on X
Photo 3 Caption: Up-and-coming track star Tumi Ramokgopa set a heats PB and a final PB to win the U18 girls 100m hurdles title in Pretoria West. Photo: Tumi Ramokgopa on Instagram
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