Nkosi races to victory at nationals

While her choice of hairstyle grabbed the noisy crowd’s attention, Gift Nkosi of East Athletic Club (EAC) ran a well-measured race to clinch a gold medal at the SA Cross-Country Championships on September 7.

Sporting an edgy and rebellious cut, Nkosi stayed back, absorbed the pressure and attacked in the last half of the junior women’s 6km race, also a trial for next year’s world cross-country champs, as she coasted to victory for her first nationals gold.

“I feel like I’ve achieved something. It was hard. I paced myself well. The ladies behind me were waiting for us in front to get tired so they could pass us. But nothing was going to stand in my way,” Nkosi said.

She was part of the chasing group as her CGA teammate Bronwyn Nel led the race after 2km. Nkosi remained in the hunt when Nel fell back and eventually took the lead in the last half, tearing through the three-lap race in 20:56.

Although Wipke Schoeman of Athletics North Gauteng (AGN), tried to make it difficult for Nkosi on the home straight, the Etwatwa resident looked over her shoulder and outsprinted Schoeman to win by two seconds.

“I told myself that whatever she tried, she must not pass me. I saw the tape and knew I was going to win. They did the same thing to me in 2022. I had the victory but I looked over my shoulder and she overtook me. Today, I took my revenge.”

Schoeman grabbed the silver in 20:58 and her AGN teammate Tinyiko Ndala completed the top three in 21:15.

After recovering from an injury sustained in the school’s track and field nationals in Polokwane earlier this year, Mahlatse Mamonyane dominated the U11 girls’ 3km race for the gold.

She charged down the home straight unchallenged to cross the line in 10:33, bursting clear of her CGA teammate, Asavela Silingile, who clocked 10:43 for the silver.

“I felt it in training that I was going to win. Today, I’ve achieved it and I’m excited,” Mamonyane said.

Mikita Pienaar of Athletics Central North West (ACNW) rounded up the podium six seconds after Silingile, crossing the line in 10:49 for the bronze.

Mamonyane’s teammate, Azelia Zitha clocked a top 10 finish in the girls’ U17 4km race. She finished eighth in 14:45.

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