Delport digs deep to win gold at CGA champs

Markus Delport felt like an Olympic champion when he put his gold medal around his neck after a stunning performance to win the U20 men’s 3000m title at the CGA open track and field championships on March 16.

In his first-ever provincial championships, the Morganridge resident clocked 08:59.53 for his victory, crossing the line 03.66 seconds ahead of Ivory’s Sediba Machipa. Paballo Mmutle of Nedbank settled for the last podium position in 09:06.69.

“I feel like an Olympic champion. I’m proud of myself. All glory to God for giving me this talent,” he said.

It was somewhat unfair that Delport and his cohort’s headline-grabbing performance was only witnessed by a few who were inside the UJ Athletic Stadium in the early morning session.

It was a race laden with tactical astuteness from the young runners for all the seven-a-half laps. It went down to the wire after the 15-men field took the bell, with Delport unleashing his attack on the backstraight and eventually passing a fading Machipa with 100m to the finish.

At the start, the group stayed together with Machipa, Mmutle and Benkosi Maqwara dictating matters up front, while Delport stayed relaxed inside the bunch. Sensing that the trio was pulling ahead, Delport decided to join them upfront.

Machipa and Delport then dropped Mmutle and Maqwara mid-way through the race, making it a two-man contest. Machipa remained in the lead, with Delport trailing behind, but he failed to take total control of the race, despite the backing from the crowd.

Delport was slightly behind going into the last lap and as the bell rang, the Hoërskool Dr EG Jansen alumnus sensed his opportunity. He put foot to pedal on the backstraight and dropped the Thembisa resident at the 100m mark before sprinting to the finish to qualify for his first-ever nationals.

“When we took the bell, I thought it was now or never. I gave it my best and heard my coach screaming that I should go. When we reached the 200m point, my legs felt great and I knew the race was on. I caught up with the leader at 100m. I felt great when I finished. The time wasn’t great but I’m proud,” said Delport.

Although the 18-year-old UJ student went into the race aiming for a PB, he was still chuffed with his performance.

“I feel really good. It’s my first time at the provincials. To come first and qualify for the nationals feels great. I’m proud of myself.”

He thanked his coach, Richard O’Donoghue, saying, “I’ve only been with him for three months. I’ve improved a lot. I’m really happy and it’s all thanks to him. He’s a nice person and I really enjoy working with him.”

He will represent CGA at the ASA age-group and multi event nationals in Cape Town from March 27 to 29.

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