Caster Semenya made history with a remarkable treble victory on the second and final day of the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships at Coetzenburg Stadium, in Stellenbosch on Saturday.
Within the space of four hours,[link id=”201″ tax=”post_tag” text=” Caster Semenya”] won the South African women’s 400m (50.76), 800m (1:58.46) and 1500m (4:10.93) national titles.
While it all went her own way with comfortable victories in the shorter events, she faced a strong challenge from US-based athlete Dominique Scott in the metric mile.
Scott took the lead on the first lap, but Semenya took advantage of a relatively slow early pace to launch her trademark kick over the last 200m as she drew clear, becoming the first athlete in the history of the annual Championships to win all three titles.
“I didn’t expect to go this fast,” Semenya said. “I wanted to run under 4:10.00 in the 1500m, but it’s ok. The 400m and 800m were marvellous. I’m happy with my performances.”
World 400m Champion [link id=”475″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Wayde van Niekerk”] dominated his specialist event, crossing the line in 44.98 seconds to defend his national crown.
“I appreciate every achievement that comes my way, and obviously now it’s up to me to improve myself for the rest of the year,” Van Niekerk said.
“The main goal is the Olympics, and I’d like to pick up a bit more momentum before I get to Europe and then Rio.”
Though a highly anticipated Men’s Long Jump final was somewhat diluted, with [link id=”334″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Zarck Visser”] withdrawing injured and[link id=”230″ tax=”post_tag” text=” Khotso Mokoena”] focusing on the triple jump event, [link id=”714″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Ruswahl Samaai”] delivered in style.
Samaai produced a leap of 8.34m in the first round, and after title contender Luvo Manyonga overstepped twice and was eliminated at the midway cut, his opening jump was enough to earn a dominant win.
Conley and Mokoka earned double crowns
Sprinter [link id=”925″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Alyssa Conley”] and distance runner [link id=”185″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Stephen Mokoka”] earned double crowns.
Conley charged to victory in the Women’s 200m final in 23.01, achieving the Olympic qualifying standard in the half-lap event, adding to her 100m title on Day 1 where she stunned SA record holder [link id=”893″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Carina Horn”] at the finish.
Mokoka, who was targeting a national record in the Men’s 10,000m race after Elroy Gelant assisted with pacing until halfway, somehow slowed in the second half to clock 27:57.50.
It was the second year in a row that Mokoka won the 5000m/10,000m double, after his triumph in the shorter race on Friday.
Glenrose Xaba, who won the U23 Women’s 5000m and 10,000m SA titles at the National Sub Youth, Youth and Junior T&F Championships (31 March-2 April), was in impressing form adding the senior crown, winning the 10,000m in 34:23.56.
Race walker Lebogang Shange set the fastest time ever on SA soil in the Men’s 20km walk, clocking 1:20:42 for the gold medal, while Wayne Snyman continued his rapid progress by setting a Personal Best of 1:20:46.
In the men’s 110m hurdles race, [link id=”927″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Antonio Alkana”] again displayed fine form, storming to victory in a season’s best time of 13.40.
With his younger compatriots delivering world-class performances, veteran hammer thrower Chris Harmse refused to be outdone.
The 43-year-old athlete launched a 73.32m heave to bag his 21st consecutive national title.
[link id=”472″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Aleck Skhosana”], the President of [link id=”127″ tax=”post_tag” text=”Athletics South Africa”] was over the moon with the days of action.
“We promised an action-packed two days package of fireworks and the athletes delivered in the true style of South African athletics that we are known for.
“The emergence of new champions and the upsets that we saw is a clear confirmation that those even the most sceptical person agrees that we are on the correct path as we seek to reclaim our glory in the world of athletics.
“Our athletes both senior and junior are forcing the world to sit up and watch as we slowly emerge as contenders,” Skhosana said.
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