All eyes on junior prospects at SA Athletics Championships

There is likely to be a changing of the guard this week, as some of South Africa’s most promising young athletes chase national senior titles at the SA Athletics Championships in Potchefstroom.

While some senior stars will be missing, including SA 100m record holder Akani Simbine (who is focussing on the early stages of the international season), it opens the door for younger athletes to shine.

With Simbine not competing in the short sprints, the likes of teenagers Bayanda Walaza and Karabo Letebele, 20-year-old speedsters Bradley Nkoana and Abduraghmaan Karriem, and 21-year-old Benji Richardson will be eager to hold off challenges from more experienced athletes including Wayde van Niekerk (32), Sinesipho Dambile (23), Tsebo Matsoso and Retshidisitswe Mlenga (both 25).

In the women’s short sprints, 20-year-old Viwe Jingqi is in danger of being dethroned as South Africa’s fastest woman when she lines up against 17-year-old Hannah Hope Vermaak, who recently edged out Jingqi to win the 100m event at Botswana Golden Grand Prix in Gaborone.

Meanwhile, though world record holder Van Niekerk will focus on the 100m and 200m sprints and defending champion Lythe Pillay will be joining Simbine at the Diamond League meeting in China this weekend, world junior champion Udeme Okon (19) is expected to be locked in a tight battle against experienced campaigner Zakithi Nene (27) over the 400m distance.

In addition, 17-year-old Leendert Koekemoer will be eager to cause an upset in the one-lap final after making a spectacular comeback from injury this season.

Rising hurdles stars

In the 400m hurdles races, youngsters could also dethrone their senior opposition.

Njabulo Mbatha, still only 17, will line up as the favourite for the men’s title in the one-lap race over the barriers.

And Tumi Ramokgopa (also 17) will be confident of putting up a fight against Olympic semifinalists Zeney Geldenhuys and Rogail Joseph (both 24) in the women’s 400m hurdles contest, as will 20-year-old Hannah van Niekerk.

Ramokgopa will also line up in the 100m hurdles event, and in the absence of SA record holder Marione Fourie (who is racing in China), the teenager will turn out as the favourite in the women’s short sprint over the barriers after recently breaking the national junior record at the ASA Grand Prix in Johannesburg.

The SA Athletics Championships will be held at the Puk McArthur Athletics Stadium in Potchefstroom between Thursday and Sunday.