South Africa closed their campaign in style, bagging two more medals at the 2018 IAAF World U20 Championships in Tampere, Finland on Saturday 14 July.
Sokwakhana Zazini added the global Junior (U20) title to the Youth (U18) crown he won in Nairobi last year, taking the men’s 400m hurdles gold in 49.42 seconds.
Soks Zazini lived up to the massive expectations heaped upon his slight shoulders to take South Africa’s second-ever men’s gold in the event, and to join Zenéy van der Walt for the country’s sweep of the discipline at these championships.
The 17-year-old South African ran relaxed for the first half, leaving himself with much to do in the second. Caught in a fierce four-man tussle with just 60 metres remaining, Zazini shifted gears and made up some ground over the penultimate hurdle, but still trailed Bassem Hemeida of Qatar as they approached the last.
Hemeida, 17, running the race of his life, showed little sign of slowing. However, Zazini dug deep, and caught Hemeida with three strides from the finish, crossing the line in 49.42 secs.
The Qatari clocked 49.59 secs, slicing nearly a full second from his previous best of 50.55 to clich silver while Alison dos Santos of Brazil, who ran strong for the gun, was rewarded for his aggressiveness with bronze and a 49.78 lifetime best.
“The competition was really tough but I’m really happy with my team,” Zazini said. “This is a really special and proud moment for me and my country.”
In a quality race, the top three dipped under 50 seconds for just the fourth time at these championships.
Breyton Poole also delivered an impressive performance, taking a share of the bronze medal in the High Jump Men final with a 2.23m clearance in a tight contest.
Poole finished in a tie for third place on count back with American athlete JuVaughn Blake, while Antonios Merlos of Greece and Roberto Vilches of Mexico shared gold, with all four athletes clearing the same height.
Valco van Wyk ended in a tie for eighth place in the Pole Vault Men final, clearing the bar at 5.30m, while Anro van Eeden took 11th place in the Javelin Throw Men final with a 65.51m heave. Discus thrower Ignatius Marais produced a best attempt of 54.56m in the qualifying round, missing out on a place in the final.
The SA men’s 4x400m Relay team finished sixth in their heat in 3:26.44, and the women’s quartet were seventh in their heat in 3:50.39, with neither progressing to the medal battle.
The national squad completed their campaign with four medals, including three gold and one bronze.
While the IAAF World U20 Championships is set to conclude on Sunday, there are no SA athletes taking part on the last day of competition. The final medal standings will be determined at the end of competition on the final day.
