Benoni Northerns Athletic Club (BNAC) junior runner Bokamoso Nonyane proved he will be one to watch in the 1 500m at the upcoming CGA Sub-Youth Track and Field Championships after outkicking Thabiso Jiyane on the finishing straight to claim victory at the third provincial league meeting at Germiston Stadium on October 31.

In a tightly contested and entertaining U13 boys’ race that went down to the final lap, Nonyane and Jiyane provided a fitting end to the programme, with their thrilling battle for the line keeping the entire pavilion on its toes.

Nonyane was purposeful from the start, maintaining a steady tempo as he settled behind the pacemakers, while Jiyane bided his time in the chasing pack. Once the pacemakers had completed their task, Nonyane launched his attack, forcing Jiyane to respond.

However, the Mamepe Striders ace’s response came too late as Nonyane produced a decisive finishing kick to cover the 1 500m in 04:30.08 and claim victory. Jiyane finished just 0.36 seconds behind after covering the three-lap, three-quarters-of-the-track race in 04:30.44.

Nonyane told the paper that he had worked extensively on his strength and finishing speed after losing to Jiyane at the previous league meeting.

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“It was a nice race. It went as we planned. My coach had been pacing me at training to see if I had the speed and strength to challenge Thabiso.

“I was second behind him in the previous league meeting. I couldn’t respond to his pace. Coach came up with a good game plan, which paid off today,” Nonyane said.

The pair’s rivalry is set to reach its climax when they line up for provincial supremacy at the championships on November 14.

“It’s going to be another interesting race. Thabiso is a tough racer. I can’t wait,” he added.

In selected BNAC results, Baxter Towers finished fourth in the U9 boys’ 600m in 01:56.52, while sprinter Connor Hudson Jonker clocked 12.85 and 9.84 to finish fifth and seventh overall in the U7 boys’ 80m and 60m, respectively.

Mila Rossouw finished second in the U13 800m in 02:20.86, while Lieke Schoultz placed seventh in the same race after earlier clocking 27.90 in the 200m.

Quinn Schonken continued her impressive form with a third-place finish in the U9 600m, while Nolwazi Magwaza secured third in the U11 1 200m. Alexia Visser finished eighth in the same race.

The athletes are now gearing up for next weekend’s CGA Sub-Youth Track and Field Championships, where they will continue their quest to represent the province at the ASA Championships in Potchefstroom in December.

Also Read: Nonyane win nail-biting race to defend title