Hurdlers and sprinters were the star performers on Friday treating spectators to excellent performances on Day 2 at the ASA Senior Combined Events and Relays Champs at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Thurday, 18 April, 2024.
In the women’s 400m hurdles finals, Zeney Geldenhuys of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) and Rogail Joseph of Athletics Central North West (ACNW) both ran under the Olympic qualifying standard of 54.85 seconds.
Geldenhuys won gold in 54.72, narrowly holding off Joseph who took silver in 54.84. In third place, 16-year-old Tumi Ramokgopa (AGN) clocked 57.04 to break the South African U18 record.
“It’s very exciting to know there are girls pushing me because without them it’s difficult to run great times,” said Geldenhuys.
“I’m ecstatic and I feel truly blessed to run the Olympic qualifying time. It takes some pressure off because now I know I have the automatic qualifying time.”
400m Hurdles Champion, Zeney Geldenhuys
Junior athlete Viwe Jingqi (ACNW) triumphed in the women’s 100m final after lining up as the pre-race favourite in 11.23, just 0.01 outside her personal best, as she outclassed her senior opponents.
Her provincial teammate Tamzin Thomas grabbed the silver medal in 11.47 and Gabriella Marais of Athletics Free State (AFS) secured bronze in 11.67.
“My start was a bit bad, I won’t lie, but today I told myself even if you don’t have a good start, just work through every stage of the race and see what happens at the end,” Jingqi said.
“This was not a junior race. I was racing against seniors who have competed on the world stage, so I was nervous and there was a lot of pressure, and now I feel fantastic.”
100m Champion, Viwe Jingqi
In other finals on Friday, Carina Swiegers (AGN) took the women’s 3 000m steeplechase title in 10:53.93, Karmen Fouche (ACNW) won the women’s triple jump with a best effort of 13.09m, and Colette Uys (AGN) won the women’s shot put with a 64.31m heave.
Shirley Nekhubui (CGA) was fastest in the women’s 200m heats, winning her race in 23.20. She was the only athlete to dip under 23.60.
Watch the ASA Senior Champs in Pietermaritzburg on Supersport:
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
Original Copy: Athletics SA, with editing by gsport
Main Photo Caption: Shirley Nekhubui (on the inside track) was the only athlete to dip under 23.60 in the Senior Women’s 200m heats, on Day 2 at the ASA Senior Combined Events and Relays Champs at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg on Friday, 19 April 2024. Photo: Athletics SA / Cecilia van Bers
Photo 2 Caption: Lizaan Brand claimed silver in the U18 Women’s Long Jump (Heptathlon), won by Kyra Hancke with Natalie Verhoef in third. Photo: Athletics SA / Cecilia van Bers
Photo 3 Caption: Shannon Verster comfortably won the Senior Women’s 800m (Heptathlon) ahead of Bianca Ré and Ivonne Robson. Photo: Athletics SA / Cecilia van Bers
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