Small margins were all that stood between Michael Bekker and a memorable double at the CGA Track and Field Championships at UJ Athletics Stadium on March 13 and 14.

The Hoërskool Kempton Park middle-distance standout produced a composed and commanding performance to claim gold in the U18 men’s 1500m, adding to the 3000m silver he had secured the previous day.

While the metric mile unfolded as a controlled victory, it was in the gruelling seven-and-a-half lap contest where Bekker truly laid down his marker.

In a high-quality field featuring six of the province’s top U18 middle-distance prospects, Bekker looked poised to complete the double.

The race went out at a fierce tempo, with a leading pack of six – Boxer’s Tyran Brooks, Bekker, Keegan Coetzee of Nories, Worriers of the West (WOW) duo Tumelo Konyana and Junior Noah, and Absa Running Club’s Sipho Mollo – asserting themselves early. The group stayed intact until the bell, when Brooks and Bekker surged clear with a decisive move.

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With the crowd on its feet, the pair ran shoulder-to-shoulder down the final straight before Brooks unleashed a telling kick to snatch victory on the line, edging Bekker by the narrowest of margins.

Brooks crossed in 08:43.57, with Bekker just a fraction behind in 08:43.67, while Coetzee secured bronze in 08:47.15.

“It was a relaxed and comfortable race, but I could feel I didn’t have the power and energy to run as I did two weeks ago because I was sick,” said Bekker.

The 17-year-old, coached by Michael van Aswegen, credited his improved finishing speed to the 800m and 1500m races he contested during the league phase of the season.

“The 800m and 1500m have helped me a lot because I can sit and relax for a few laps, knowing that when it’s time to go, I have the power to kick. It’s good to have that,” he said.

Bekker returned the following day with intent and left no doubt in the 1500m final, dictating the race from the gun before storming to victory in 03:54.48. Coetzee took silver in 03:59.34, while Kearabetswe Mokoena finished third in 04:05.14.

“I feel good, but there are still a few things I need to improve to go even faster. Coach and I treated this as a training block. This weekend was a starting point to see where we are and what we need to do before nationals,” Bekker said.

Looking ahead, the Kempton Park teenager has his sights set on a podium finish in both events at the ASA age-group championships next week.

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