Ballito’s Miles Liebenberg wins gold at Commonwealth Youth Games
Liebenberg's gold came on the first day of the Games, which continue until Friday this week, and proved the perfect start for Team SA.
Ballito’s Miles Liebenberg is a junior Commonwealth champion!
The 16-year-old cycling star claimed the best result of his career when he won gold in the individual time trial at the Commonwealth Youth Games in Trinidad and Tobago on Saturday.
Competing against world-class opposition from 18 countries and territories, the speedy youngster hurtled through the 15km course around Couva on the Caribbean island of Trinidad.
Despite hot weather, heavy rainfall just before the 11am start time proved a bigger challenge as puddles needed careful negotiation.
Liebenberg did so with ease, averaging a speed of 46.67kp/h as he cruised through the course in 19 minutes and 17 seconds.
Photo: Roger Sedres/Team South Africa.
It was enough to claim South Africa’s first medal at the Games, ahead of the more fancied Elliot Rowe (Scotland, 2nd) and Will Heath (Australia, 3rd), both of whom have raced in professional European events.
“I’m so happy! It’s an absolutely unbelievable experience winning this. It’s definitely the biggest race I’ve ever won and it’s also only the second time I’ve won on the road. It really means a lot to me and I hope I’ve made a lot of people proud,” Liebenberg told Team SA after his victory.
His previous best result was a second place finish in the South African junior road race championships earlier this year, and he is the reigning KwaZulu-Natal junior road race champion.
Liebenberg’s gold came on the first day of the Games, which continue until Friday this week, and proved the perfect start for Team SA.
Photo: Roger Sedres/Team South Africa.
It was welcomed by the country’s top sport administrators.
“What an exciting first day of these Commonwealth Youth Games for Team SA. I’d like to take the opportunity to praise Miles on his gold medal. It was a tough race but he won by three seconds,” said SASCOC president Barry Hendricks, speaking to Team SA.
“He’s brought pride to South Africa and I look forward to reaction from all his countrymen back home.”
Liebenberg was again in action in the 65km road race on Monday, where he finished in 8th position in 1:33.55, just 50 seconds off Northern Ireland’s Oisin Ferrity who won gold.
Jessica Thompson added another gold to the Team SA tally on Sunday when she won the women’s 50m butterfly in a new Games record time of 26.84.
Alicia Khunou notched South Africa’s third gold when she won the women’s shot put with a throw of 17.97, also a new Games record.
Johan Lamberts and Simone Moll both added silvers to the medal table in the men’s discus and women’s 50m breaststroke respectively.
At time of print, Team SA’s five medals were good for fourth place behind Australia, England and Scotland.
Follow South Africa’s progress in the medal table by visiting teamsa.co.za or visit trinbago2023.com for more information on the wider event.
Follow The North Coast Courier on Facebook, Twitter, Instagram & YouTube for breaking news
Telegram Broadcast Service: https://t.me/joinchat/yJULuN8NaCs5OGM0
Stay in the loop with The North Coast Courier on Facebook, X, Instagram & YouTube for the latest news.
Mobile users can join our WhatsApp Broadcast Service here, or if you’re on desktop, scan the QR code below.
