Several local young stars perform at Junior African Athletics Championship
Several local young stars from Pretoria were among the medal winners in the South African team which has just returned from Zambia, where they participated in the Junior African Athletics Championship.
After athletes from Gauteng North dominated the SA Junior Athletics Championship a month ago, local athletes from this province were also in the majority among the medal winners at the Junior African Championship, which took place in Zambia last week.
The national youth and junior teams wrapped up their dominant showing last week by finishing top of the medals table at the CAA African U18 and U20 Championships in Ndola, Zambia.
The South African squad completed their campaign with a total of 66 medals (33 golds, 19 silvers and 14 bronze), earning more podium places than any other country at the continental showpiece.
Some of these stars even brought home more than one medal.
Photo: Twitter
In the u.18 category, upcoming star form Gauteng North and student of Prestige College in Hammanskraal, Tumi Ramokgopa, added the 400m hurdles title to the gold she won in the 100m hurdles earlier at the championships.
“It was a blessing and it feels amazing. I actually didn’t expect to win both events but I told myself I was going to fight in every race for my country,” Ramokgopa remarked afterwards.
Photo: Twitter
Alicia Khunou from Menlopark High School is another athlete who was able to win two titles at the event. She won the u.18 girls shot put and discus throw.
“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. I hope people out there can find some inspiration from what I did and see that anything is possible, regardless of who you are or where you come from,” Khunou said during the team’s reception on their return at the OR Tambo airport.
Another Menlopark student, Werner Bezuidenhout also secured two medals for his country. He won gold in the 100m for men u.18, while he also took the silver medal in the 110m hurdles.
Photo: Twitter
Other local athletes who won medals for South Africa at the championship are:
– Colene Scheepers (Hoërskool Menlopark): Gold in the 400m for women u.18.
– Precious Molepo (Prestige College): Silver in the 400m for women u.20.
– Anje Nel (Tuks): Gold in the 400m for women u.20.
– Kayla Murray (Hoërskool Waterkloof): Silver in the 100m for women u.20.
– Timeke Coetzee (Afrikaans Hoër Meisieskool Pretoria): Gold in the long jump, women u.18.
– Brian Raats (Tuks): Gold in the high jump for men u.20.
– Johandre Pienaar (Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool): Gold in the javelin through for men u.20.
– Hencu Lamberts (Afrikaans Hoër Seunskool): Gold in the shot put for men u.18.
– Chané Kok (Tuks): Gold in the 100m hurdles for women u.20.
– Matodzi Ndou (Curro Hazeldean): Gold in the 400m hurdles for men u.18.
– Armand van der Walt (Hoërskool Garsfontein): Gold in 200m for men u.20.
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