Long-distance runner Glenrose Xaba stole the show on Thursday, as the ASA Senior Track and Field, Combined Events and Relays Championships opened in explosive fashion at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg.
Xaba kicked hard over the last few laps to beat middle-distance specialist Prudence Sekgodiso in the women’s 5000m final.
She completed 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 10000m distance, Xaba won her first gold medal in the 5000m event.
“I really looked forward to achieving this goal. For so many years I have tried to win gold in the 5000m and I always finished second or third, so I’m very excited to win this medal,” Xaba said.
In the only other final on the track, Nadeel Wildschutt won the men’s 10 000m race in 29:15.93, holding off a challenge from Puseletso Mofokeng (29:19.01).
In the women’s discus throw final, Yolandi Stander won gold with a best heave of 55.00 metres. Mine de Klerk settled for the silver medal (52.55m) and Ashley Erasmus earned bronze (52.14m).
Erasmus then turned the tables in the shot put, winning gold with a best effort of 17.27m. Mine 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 and Rocco van Rooyen took gold in the men’s javelin with a 74.58m throw.
In the men’s and women’s 100m sprints, defending champion Akani Simbine (10.27) and junior athlete Viwe Jingqi (11.51) were quickest in the men’s and women’s semifinals, progressing as the favourites for the finals to be held on Friday.
“I wanted to run under 10 seconds, but the wind turned and it was a hard one (-1.4m/s) so I knew I was going to have to exert a lot of energy just to run a fast time,” said Simbine, who clocked 10.07 in the morning heats. “So it was more of a strategic race, just making sure I got through healthy at the end of the day.”
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.
“The Jungle, as a brand, is all about giving South Africans the energy to do life with heart and in this context we know it goes far beyond just physical energy for athletes. This is especially truly in a year when the Olympics are around the corner and the determination, resilience and heart required to win are next level.”
