Closing out a memorable night of competition on Wednesday, the South African 4x400m mixed relay team shattered the national record at the third and final leg of the ASA Athletics Grand Prix Series at the UJ Athletics Stadium in Johannesburg.
In the final event of the World Athletics Continental Tour meeting, the SA quartet consisting of Amy Naude, Zenéy Geldenhuys, Zakithi Nene and Gardeo Isaacs charged around the track and stormed home in 3:14.97.
They held off a challenge from the Kenyan team who faded down the finishing straight on the final lap to grab second place in 3:16.26.
The SA team took nearly five seconds off the previous SA mark of 3:19.63 which had been set by a different quartet who finished fourth in the final at the African Games in Accra, Ghana last week.
“It feels great. The 4x400m mixed relay is still a new event for us and last week in Ghana they broke the SA record and tonight we broke it again,” said Geldenhuys, who ran the final leg.
“We’re very happy about that because we’re taking it step-by-step and the national squad is getting stronger.”
Teenager Tumi Ramokgopa was superb, with the 16 year-old athlete outclassing her senior opponents in the women’s 400m hurdles to secure victory in 57.84, just 0.06 outside her personal best.
“It’s all well that ends well, I’d say. A beautifully organised and executed series indeed!” was a reaction of James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. “This last leg was packed with athletes with some events having to take extra load. Well done!”
Original Copy: Athletics SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: 16 year-old Tumi Ramokgopa outclassing her senior opponents in the women’s 400m hurdles to secure victory in 57.84 at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix Series, which ended at the UJ Athletics Stadium in Johannesburg, Gauteng, on Wednesday, 27 March, 2024. File Photo: Tumi Ramokgopa on Instagram
Photo 2 Caption: Zenéy Geldenhuys (pictured) joined Amy Naude and their mens’ teammates Zakithi Nene and Gardeo Isaacs as a second South African mixed 4x400m relay team to break the national record, at the ASA Athletics Grand Prix Series on Wednesday, 27 March, 2024. Photo: Screengrab of Athletics SA video Facebook
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