Athletes gear up for greatness at tomorrow’s ASA Championships
The age group championships are the breeding ground for the next generation of stars.
The Dal Josaphat Stadium in Paarl plays host to the 2019 Twizza ASA U/18 and U/20 Track & Field Championships from tomorrow until Saturday, 30 March.
Some athletes who stepped up to the plate as U/18s have already made a successful transition into the U/20 setup. Sokwakhana Soks Zazini and Zeney van der Walt won gold in the 400m hurdles at the World U18 Championships in 2017, leading South Africa to the top of the medal table. Last year, they repeated that success at the IAAF U20 World Championships. Both started their careers at the South African U18 and U20 Track & Field Championships and have made the transition to great junior athletes with the potential to make big inroads into the senior ranks in a few years to come. Both will be in action at this year’s Twizza ASA U18 and U20 Track & Field Championships from 28 to 30 March in Paarl.
At the World U18 Championships in 2017, South Africa did a unique double with Tshenolo Lemao and Retshiditswe Mlenga going 1-2 in the 100m and then reversing the roles in the 200m. Both were selected because of their feats at the ASA Youth and Junior Championships and both will be in Paarl this week.
Rose Xeyi missed the U18 100m SA record by the narrowest of margins in 2018, by a mere 0.05 seconds. This year she will be competing in the U20 age category and has to be one of the favourites.
Gontse Morake is one of the most versatile athletes around taking part, having set the U/18 SA record in the 400m hurdles, won the 400m and triple jump titles at the CAA Southern Region Youth Championships and Africa Youth Games 400m hurdles title in Algeria.
Another athlete to keep an eye out for is Prudence Sekgodiso. She has already run a faster 800m time than her famous role model, Caster Semenya at the same age. Despite not being 18 yet, she is the outright favourite to win the girls U/18 800m title. Her 4:24.52 time for the 1 500m event makes her a medal contender in this event, should she decide to participate as does her 56,7 seconds personal best in the 400m.
The 2019 Twizza ASA U18 and U20 Track & Field Championships is the perfect preparation ground for the next generation and there is clearly an upsurge in performances in the age groups, which can only be positive for the sport.
