It was a full-circle moment for Potchefstroom hurdles coach Shaun Bownes, who saw his young athlete Franco le Roux break his African record in the men’s 60m hurdles at the 2006 World Indoor Athletics Championships in Poland yesterday.

Potchefstroom Herald reports that Le Roux, an NWU athlete and Athletics Central North West (ACNW) representative, broke the record in the heats in a time of 7.50 seconds, eclipsing Bownes’ mark of 7.52 set in Belgium in February 2001.

An excited Bownes said the record-breaking achievement was part of Le Roux’s goals for the World Indoor Championships, which included reaching the final and winning a medal.

Le Roux completed two of those goals when he reached the final, finishing seventh overall in 7.51, a fantastic result for the 20-year-old. Jakub Szymanski of Poland won in 7.40, beating favourite Trey Cunningham into second place.

Le Roux, a former Grey College learner, will take heart from this performance and aims to grow in leaps and bounds this year. He is also the defending SA 110m hurdles champion.

Munnik sets personal best

Luan Munnik, another ACNW representative, took seventh place in the men’s 3 000m final in a personal best time of 7:37.94.

Breaking news at your fingertips… Follow Caxton Network News on Facebook and join our WhatsApp channel.

Nuus wat saakmaak. Volg Caxton Netwerk-nuus op Facebook en sluit aan by ons WhatsApp-kanaal.