Local sprint sensation from TuksAthletics, Benjamin Richardson, earned South Africa’s second medal yesterday, on Day Two of the World Athletics u.20 World Championships in Nairobi, Kenya.

Richardson, who lined up among the favourites after displaying great form in the heats and semi-finals the day before, grabbed silver in the men’s 100m final.

The 17-year-old South African crossed the line in 10.28 seconds, with Letsile Tebogo of Botswana snatching the gold medal in 10.19 and Shainer Montoya of Cuba taking bronze in 10.32.

“This is a big statement that Africa is coming up and very fast in sprints races. Taking the top two positions means there is huge potential in us the youngsters. My ambition is to start preps for the World championships next year while also eyeing the Paris Games in 2024,” said Richardson.

Youth athlete Mckayla van der Westhuizen (formerly of Hoërskool Oos-Moot in Pretoria) finished sixth in the women’s javelin throw final with a best attempt of 53.94m. Adriana Vilagos of Serbia won gold with a massive 61.46m heave.

In the women’s 3 000m final, Naledi Makgatha took eighth position in 9:55.08, with Kenyan athlete Teresiah Gateri securing victory in 8:57.78.

In the morning session, another local athlete from Pretoria, Christiaan Venter, finished third in his 400m hurdles heat in 52.91, and Abednico Choba was fifth in his 800m heat in 1:50.20, booking their places in Saturday’s semi-finals.

Capetonian Jada van Staden took third position in her 400m hurdles heat in 59.33, missing out on a spot in the final by just 0.01.

After two days of competition, the SA team was lying third in the overall table with two medals (one gold and one silver).

Do you have more information about the story?

Please send us an email to editorial@rekord.co.za or phone us on 083 625 4114.

For free breaking and community news, visit Rekord’s websites: Rekord East

For more news and interesting articles, like Rekord on Facebook, follow us on Twitter or Instagram