Wayde van Niekerk beats Akani Simbine, Wenda Nel takes revenge against junior challengers
Two South African Olympic stars were involved in an epic 200m battle at an athletics meeting in Roodepoort on Tuesday night, while several local athletes from Pretoria showed that they were ready to compete against the world's best once Covid regulations make this possible.
Olympic star athlete, Wayde van Niekerk, delivered in style on Tuesday night, rocketing to victory in the men’s 200m race at the ASA Athletix Invitational at Ruimsig Athletics Stadium in Roodepoort.
Van Niekerk crossed the line in 20.10 (albeit with a +2.1m/s tailwind), holding off a challenge from national 100m record holder Akani Simbine, who took second place in 20.29 in wet and windy conditions. Tsebo Matsoso (SA) finished third stopping the clock at 20.48.
“This definitely gave me confidence I didn’t have before. It’s one thing training well, but it’s a different thing executing it against such a quality line-up, guys I have the world of respect for,” said Van Niekerk, the 400m world record holder.
Though he was edged out by his close friend and rival, Simbine was also pleased with his result.
“I just ran a terrible bend, but other than that I’m happy with the race,” said Simbine, who had won the 100m race in the first leg at Ruimsig the week before.
Photo: David Tarpey
Another local Pretoria athlete, former world u.18 champion, Sokwakhana Zazini, flaunted his form when winning the men’s 400m hurdles in 50.13.
In the battle for glory in the women’s 400m hurdles race Pretoria veteran Wenda Nel took revenge on another local athlete, Taylon Bieldt, who beat her on Monday in the same item. She won in a time of 56.16.
Teenager Renier de Villiers secured victory in the men’s 800m race in 1:46.83, Namibian junior athlete Beatrice Masilingi won the women’s 200m sprint in 22.59 (+3.9) and Charona Bakker of the Netherlands coasted home in 13.46 in the women’s 100m hurdles.
In the field, Werner Visser dominated the men’s discus throw with a 60.88m heave and former u.20 World Championships medallist Johann Grobler won the men’s javelin throw with a best attempt of 78.84m.
This short series of athletic meetings offered several athletes in both South Africa and from neighbouring countries a chance to either seek qualifications or improve and test their level of performance.
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