Caster Semenya proved to be indomitable once again in the 2019 Sizwe Medical Fund & 3SixtyLife ASA Senior Track & Field and Combined Events Championships, held from 25 to 27 April at the Germiston Athletics Stadium in Gauteng.
Current world-champion in the 800m distance, Semenya has pivoted her track and field focus to the longer distances, and her efforts saw her win the 5,000m and 1,500m national titles (her 4:13.59 finish 7 seconds off the world leader, the USA’s Ajeé Wilson).
One national record was bettered, when para athlete Yané van der Merwe broke the javelin (F44) South African record with a distance 26.56m.
Stellar performances were also delivered by Prudence Sekgodiso, Julia du Plessis, Tamzin Thomas, Zeney van der Walt, Ischke Senekal, Kirsty Bell, Glenrose Xaba, Anel Oosthuizen, Sunnete Viljoen and Zinzi Chabangu among others claiming SA National titles.
Here are some of the highlights:
Para-athlete Simone Kruger won the first title at the 2019 athletics championships, taking gold in the mixed-age shotput (F38) with a distance of 10.15m.
In a hard-fought contest in the high jump, Julia du Plessis took on the title with a height of 1.80m.
Chene Pretorius cleared 61 metres to claim the hammer throw title, holding off a challenge from Marga Cumming.
Tebogo Mamathu stormed to victory in the 100m in a time of 11.45, with Rose Xeyi and Reabetswe Moloi in claiming silver and bronze respectively.
Ischke Senekal won the shot put title with a distance of 16.80m over Meike Strydom and Sonia Smuts.
Zinzi Chabangu of Central Gauteng Athletics won gold in the triple jump with Patience Ntshingila and Marushka Janse van Rensburg winning silver and bronze.
Kirsty Bell of Athletics Gauteng North won the 3000m Steeple Chase in a time of 10:45.25.
Anel Oosthuizen claimed the first title on offer on the final day of the champs, claiming the 20km walk national title in a time of 01:40:21.60.
Anri Saim took the senior heptathlon title, while Annemieke Huijink and Liezl Theron claimed the U18 and U20 titles.
Danel Holton won gold in the 400m final in a time of 54.03.
Sunette Viljoen claimed her 13th SA javelin title, with a distance of 57.23m.
World Junior champion Zeney van der Walt won the SA Senior 400m hurdles title in a time of 55.93, edging out Wenda Nel.
Glenrose Xaba earned another national title with a comfortable victory in the 10000m final, while Tamzin Thomas was crowned the 200m champion, in a time of 23.64.
Prudence Sekgodiso pipped out Gena Lofstrand in a sprint down the home straight.
The National invitation team won the 4x100m relay, with Athletics Gauteng North claiming the 4x400m title.
Photo 1 caption: Caster Semenya has pivoted her track and field focus to the longer distances, and saw her efforts rewarded with national titles in the 5,000m and 1,500m distances. Photo: ASA on Facebook
Photo 2 caption: Para athlete Yané van der Merwe broke the javelin (F44) SA record with a throw of 26.56m. Photo: Supplied
Photo 3 caption: New national champ Tebogo Mamathu stormed to victory in the 100m in a time of 11.45, finishing ahead of Rose Xeyi in silver, and Reabetswe Moloi claiming bronze. Photo: Supplied
Photo 4 caption: SA Javelin icon Sunette Viljoen captured an amazing 13th national title with a throw of 57.23m. Photo: Supplied
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