Primrose athlete displays great performance at CGA Finale Track and Field League
The founder and head coach of USAC, Zakhele Gumede, said Ntombi Gumede was a top performer for the day at his club.
Fishers Hill’s United Stars Athletics Club (USAC) put their skills to the test at the March 13 Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) final league 2021 Track and Field event. The founder and head coach of USAC, Zakhele Gumede, said Ntombi Gumede was a top performer for the day at his club.
“Her race, the girls’ u-15, was hectic, with a lot of top athletes, but she finished second.” The coach believes his athletes did their best, but there is room for improvement. “I enjoy every moment of working with these young stars. “They did exactly what I instructed them to do and they are now good examples to other children.”
He added the challenge for that day was transport as most of the children come from less privileged homes. “They can’t afford transport fees, entry fees, food and bandages to avoid blisters.” ln future, Gumede said he wants to see his athletes competing at the Olympics.
CGA
At the CGA, athletes from all over the country entered the event intending to better previous performances of CGA Track and Field leagues during this season of the Olympic year. Atiso Molefe, the PRO of said the CGA Track and Field commission, confirmed that all the rules and regulations set out by ASA and the government were strictly adhered to at the venue.
“The day opened with rising star Lythe Pillay, who had a good run, claiming his second victory in the 400m senior men’s event. “Pillay put on an exceptional show to set his new personal best time of 45.53, following first CGA Track and Field league where he achieved the time of 45.74 to qualify for the World Juniors Championships,” said Molefe.
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South Africa’s four-time 100m Olympic Games relay athlete, said he was motivated to meet his fellow teammates during their first training session on February 20 at the Tuks Athletics Stadium in preparation for the Olympic Games.
Shot put
“The shot put event was the toughest event of the day when Kyle Blignaut took on his teammate Jason van Rooyen of UJ and Heugene Murray of Benoni Northerns Athletics Club.
“However, Blignaut dominated the senior men’s event to secure the first position in the distance of 20.50m. “Van Rooyen showed good strength and was eager to claim the first position, but a heave of 20.21m placed him in the second position, with Murray securing the third position in the distance of 12.07m.” said the PRO.
Blignaut said: “We are happy that CGA is hosting competitions. “We are trying to compete as much as possible to get back in shape as we are building up to the national championships and qualifying for the Olympic Games later on this year.”
Discuss
Miné de Klerk (18) of Flamingo Athletics Club based in Welkom set a new record in the u-19 discuss event in her second victory appearance at CGA first Track and Field league this season. De Klerk set a new record with a throw of 35.32m. She broke a record set by Simone du Toit in 2006 of 35.07m. “We are glad that we have provided a platform for athletes to compete and better their performances. “We will ensure all the protocol for the record recognition is submitted to ASA so that the record stands,” said Maggie Dicks at the post-event interview.
Running
Back on track, runners with different levels of experience concluded the day in 3 000m senior men’s event. “Among the starting line-up, we had 2019 Comrades Marathon winner Edward Mothibi, who displayed a stable performance to secure the seventh position in a time of 08:25.75, ” said Molefe.
The PRO added that Ryan Mphahlele took the race by the storm when he accelerated from the leading group in the second lap to finish first in the time of 08:16.64. “Simon Sibeko proved to be competitive throughout the race when he settled for the second place for the third time consecutively this season by clocking 08:25.75.” CGA GM Mandla Radebe said the athletes are excited to compete, and this is one of the major duties of the province, which is to create platforms for athletes to compete.
“This will also assist athletes to prepare and qualify for international competitions and Olympic Games. “Our next big event would be the provincial championships, which will be held over two days on March 26 and 27. “We are looking at making sure the best athletes qualify and represent the province at the national championships.”
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