The Athletics South Africa (ASA) national youth and junior teams were welcomed home after dominating the Confederation of African Athletics (CAA) U18 and U20 African Athletics Championships in Zambia.
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The team finished top of the medals table.
Competing against 33 countries, the squad raked in 66 medals, taking the African crown in both age categories.
Amid roof-raising song and dance at OR Tambo International Airport, they were welcomed by overjoyed family, friends, supporters, schools and athletics officials.
They completed their campaign with 66 medals, which included 33 golds, 19 silvers and 14 bronzes.
It earned the team more podium places than any other country at the continental showpiece.
Some of the athletes included Central Gauteng Athletes (CGA) Wayanda Balaza, Oratile Mashigo, Yamkela Shosha, Chane Vermeulen and Leendert Koekemoer.
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In the U20 age group, Wernich van Rensburg and Anje Nel secured titles in the men’s and women’s 400m hurdle finals, while Johandre Pienaar took the top spot on the podium in the men’s javelin throw.
In the U18 category, Tumi Ramokgopa added the 400m hurdles title to the gold she won in the 100m hurdles, while Matodzi Ndou charged to victory in the boys’ 400m hurdles.
Zak Naude won the boys’ discus throw, and Cara Smith showed her versatility by winning the girls’ heptathlon.
Aside from Ramokgopa, two other SA athletes earned double gold in individual events, with Ashley Erasmus winning the U20 women’s shot put and discus throw events and Alicia Khunou taking the U18 girls’ shot put and discus throw.
Temoso Masikane also produced a standout performance, breaking his national U18 record in the long jump with a leap of 8.06m to claim the gold medal.
He was delighted to have performed well in his first appearance in SA colours.
“My goal was to go over eight metres, so it was something I was expecting. I felt I executed well while I was jumping, and it happened,” said Masikane
“It was my first time representing my country, so to get a medal feels great,” he said.
All three of the nation’s double gold medalists in individual events – Erasmus, Khunou and Ramokgopa – were equally delighted with their results.
Erasmus, who won the national senior shot put title in March, showcased her talent by winning gold in the U20 women’s shot put and discus throw in Zambia.
“Standing on the podium and hearing the national anthem felt amazing. It almost brought tears to my eyes,” said Erasmus.
“I didn’t throw the distances I wanted to because I thought the training was going well, but I’m thankful to have won gold.”
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Khunou, who won the U18 girls’ shot put and discus throw finals, hoped her results would motivate other South Africans to achieve their goals.
“I just wanted to go out there and give it my best, so coming back with a result I can be proud of is great,” said Khunou.
“I hope people can find some inspiration from what I did and see that anything is possible, regardless of who you are or where you come from.”
On the track, 15-year-old prodigy Ramokgopa won the 100m hurdles and 400m hurdles golds in the U18 category, stunning her older opponents.
“It was a blessing, and it feels amazing. I didn’t expect to win both events, but I told myself I would fight in every race for my country,” said Ramokgopa.
Many other athletes secured multiple podium places in individual and relay events.
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It was the second successive edition of the CAA African U18 and U20 Championships, which saw the SA team take overall victory by earning the most medals.
“This team has carved itself into African history. We are proud, and we can perhaps be allowed to celebrate it as a major achievement and a super indicator of great things to come from these young athletes,” said the president of ASA, James Moloi.
“They will need to take this spirit of competition and character with them in everything they do as they pursue the profession of athletics.
“This is a great step for them to now focus on their 2023 international calendar,” said Moloi.
