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Van Zyl picks SA first Gold

Yomi Omogbeja (11/08/2006)

South Africa's Louis Van Zyl has ended his country’s medal drought after winning the 400m Hurdles at the 15th African athletics championships in Bambous, Mauritius.

Van Zyl, 21, beat countryman Alwyn Myburgh with a late surge with about 250m to go to finish in 49.43 seconds. Myburgh settled for bronze in 49.88 seconds with Mozambique’s Leonel Kurt Couto finishing third in 50.72 seconds.

An elated Van Zyl said after the race:  "It is a great honour to have the opportunity to represent Africa at the World Cup in Athens next month.

"I will use the remaining World Athletics Tour meets to polish up my speed. I want to give back to Africa a great performance, possibly breaking the 48 seconds barriers in Athens."

He holds the fifth best world performance of the 400m hurdles in 48.05 seconds.

AthleticsAfrica.Com will bring you indepth and extensive coverage from our reporters in Mauritius.

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