Long-distance runner Glenrose Xaba stole the show as the ASA Senior Track and Field, Combined Events and Relays Championships opened in explosive fashion at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Thurday, 18 April, 2024.
Xaba kicked hard over the last few laps to beat middle-distance specialist Prudence Sekgodiso in the women’s 5,000m final to complete the race in 15:48.44, with Sekgodiso fading in the final lap to take the silver medal in 16:02.04.
Kyla Jacobs, who did much of the early front running, ended third in 16:03.97. A six-time national champion over the 10,000m distance, Xaba won her first gold medal in the 5,000m event.
“I really looked forward to achieving this goal. For so many years I have tried to win gold in the 5,000m and I always finished second or third, so I’m very excited to win this medal.”
2024 5,000m Champion, Glenrose Xaba
Yolandi Stander won gold in the women’s discus throw final with a best heave of 55.00 metres, with Miné de Klerk settling for the silver medal (52.55m) and Ashley Erasmus earning bronze (52.14m).
Erasmus then turned the tables in the shot put, winning gold with a best effort of 17.27m. Miné de Klerk again bagged the silver (17.14m) and Colette Uys took bronze (16.58m). In other field events finals, Michelle Ngazo won the women’s high jump with a 1.76m leap.
Junior athlete Viwe Jingqi (11.51) was quickest in the women’s 100m sprints semifinals, progressing as the favourite to the finals to be held on Friday.
Event partners Jungle, subsidiary of Tiger Brands were delighted with the action on the track and in the field on the opening day of the national championships.
“Jungle has a history in South Africa as the ‘Breakfast of Champions’, so this event was a natural fit for us,” said Zayd Abrahams, Chief Marketing and Strategy Officer for Jungle, explaining why the brand had come on board as the main sponsor.
Friday 19 April 2024 marks Day 2 which starts with filed events at 9am with the women’s final of the U18 long jump heptathlon.
The Championships are proudly Jungle (Tiger Brands}, supported by KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and aQuellé.
Watch the ASA Senior Champs in Pietermaritzburg on Supersport:
19 April – Supersport Variety 4 – 14:25 – 17:45
20 April – Supersport Variety 4 – 14:15 – 17:15
21 April – Supersport Variety 4
– Morning Session 09:15 – 11:45
– Afternoon Session 12:45 – 16:10
Main Photo Caption: Glenrose Xaba’s explosive win in the 5,000m final was the toast of Day 1 at the ASA Senior Combined Events and Relays Champs at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Thursday, 18 April 2024. Photo: Athletics SA / Cecilia van Bers
(0 rating, 0 votes, rated)
Loading...
