Madlabane wins first nationals track gold
This was his second national title after winning his age-group's cross-country's gold in September.
Siyanda Madlabane finally got one over Mantle Tshehlana when he beat the Athletics Free State (AFS) middle-distance runner to the U13 boys’ 1 500m title at the ASA sub-youth track and field championships in Bloemfontein on December 7.
Madlabane, in red-hot form after his triumph at the provincials three weeks ago, fought off a strong challenge from Tshehlana and his AFS teammates, Monnapule Diedericks and Dehan Cilliers, to avenge his loss in the same distance from the South African Schools Athletics (SASA) track and field championships in March.
“I came second at the SASA championships in Polokwane in March. I was beaten by the AFS athlete, Tshehlana. Today, I wanted a payback,” said Madlabane.
The Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner got his payback, but it was not easy. He dug deep for the victory, especially after fighting off Tshehlana, Diedericks and Cilliers after a bad start to thwart any chances of an AFS top-three.
The race began with the usual pushing and shoving, which is always the case in a crowd of 24 boys all vying for gold for their provinces. The AFS’ Eduan Booysen established an early lead, with a chasing bunch led by CGA’s Atlehang Mokhobo, hot on his heels.
During the early stages, Madlabane remained at the back with the chasing group but broke free after the second lap, coming from outside at the bottom bend to take the lead.
After the bell, he was slightly ahead of Diedericks and Tshehlana. Diedericks unleashed one last effort on the finishing straight, making it uncomfortable for Madlabane. In the end, the Daveyton resident managed to hold off the Free Stater to win in 04:25.27.
Diedericks grabbed the silver after clocking 04:26.64 and Tshehlana, who won the 800m on December 6, completed the top three in 04:29.30 for the bronze.
Madlabane expressed his excitement for his second national title after winning the U13 boys’ 4km cross-country gold in September but admitted he almost lost the race because of a tactical miscalculation.
“I am happy but almost made a mistake that could have cost me the race.
“I struggled to keep up with the front bunch after the first lap. I was at the back and sprinting to the front or playing catch-up can be costly. I should have stayed with the front runners from the start. But I am happy to have overcome all that and won the gold medal,” he said.
Other results
Young Northerns runner Bontle Makgalemele won the U7 girls’ 80m sprint in 12.42 for her first national gold.
She also grabbed a silver in the 4X60m mixed relay, along with her BNAC teammate Aaron Ani.
Ani was fifth in the U7 boys’ 60m and 80m sprints while Kayla Botha clocked 04:03.21 for seventh in the U11 girls’ 1 200m.
Bokamoso Nonyane fell outside the top three in the U11 boys’ 1 200m race.
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