Women hurdlers and throwers are expected to take centre stage this week when the elite battle for the podium ensues at the ASA Senior, Combined Events and Relays Championships at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg from Thursday to Sunday (18-21 April).
To the athletics family, let’s come and enjoy the show! 🎥 🎥🔥#JOINTHEMOVEMENT! pic.twitter.com/mKgliKiNEG
— Athletics South Africa (@AthleticsSA_) April 11, 2024
In both hurdles’ events, some of the best races at the domestic championships are predicted.
For instance, in the 100m race over the barriers, SA record holder Marione Fourie lines up against Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) teammate and former national record holder Taylon Bieldt.
Over the 400m hurdles, Bieldt will be eager to flaunt her versatility once again, but it's going to be tough against a field which includes Commonwealth Games medallist Zeney Geldenhuys, the defending champion, and rising junior star Tumi Ramokgopa, in what could be another AGN showdown.
In the field events, exciting battles are expected in the women's shot put and discus throw finals.
In both disciplines, the line-up is spearheaded by Mine de Klerk (AFS), who returns from her base in the United States to showcase her talent on home soil.
She will have to be at her best, however, against 18 year-old Ashley Erasmus of Athletics Mpumalanga (AMPU), rising 17-year-old star Alicia Khunou (AGN), and experienced athlete Ischke Senekal of Eastern Province Athletics (EPA), a five-time winner of the shot put/discus throw double at the national championships.
Among the sprinters, all eyes will be on in-form junior athlete Viwe Jingqi when she enters the blocks for the 100m and 200m events.
In both sprints she goes up against experienced campaigner Tamzin Thomas of Athletics Central North West (ACNW) and 19-year-old Kayla la Grange (CGA).
MIDDLE-DISTANCE STAR EYES DOUBLE GOLD
Over the 400m distance, hurdles star Geldenhuys faces African champion Miranda Coetzee of Athletics North West North (ANWN), junior prospect Precious Molepo (AGN) and versatile speedster Shirley Nekhubui (CGA).
Coetzee will also turn out in the 200m event and Nekhubui has added the 100m sprint to her schedule.
Middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso is skipping her preferred 800m distance, as she targets double gold in the 1 500m and 5 000m events for host province KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA).
In the 1 500m her biggest challenges will come from African Championships finalist Carina Viljoen (CGA) and former national champion Danielle Verster (ACNW), and in the 5 000m she toes the line against defending champion Kyla Jacobs of Western Province Athletics (WPA) and national 5km road running champion Tayla Kavanagh (KZNA).
In the women's 800m event, another KZNA star, Gena Lofstrand, will aim to reclaim the national title she won as a 17-year-old in 2013, after taking the runner-up spot in her last five appearances over two laps at the ASA Senior Championships.
Meet Gena! ✨🔥
— Athletics South Africa (@AthleticsSA_) April 14, 2024
Gena Lofstrand has been in the game well over a decade! From running a 2:20 back in 2011, to a cracking 2:01 in 2017, to finishing 7th at the African Championships back in 2022. pic.twitter.com/MEaZIxMKkS
The women's 10 000m final should also produce a tightly contested affair between the likes of six-time champion Glenrose Xaba (AGN), Cacisile Sosibo of Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) and experienced athlete Kesa Molotsane in the colours of Athletics Free State (AFS).
Get ready to witness the electrifying speed of Glenrose Xaba, the Supercharger from Embalenhle! ⚡️⚡️ pic.twitter.com/R4jssP6z2w
— Athletics South Africa (@AthleticsSA_) April 14, 2024
Elsewhere in-field, Jo-Ane van Dyk (ACNW) will headline the women's javelin throw event after winning gold at the recent All African Games in Accra, Ghana last month.
Introducing Jo 💫 🦾
— Athletics South Africa (@AthleticsSA_) April 15, 2024
Don’t be deceived by her friendly demeanor, Jo-Ané van Dyk is a force to be reckoned with on the field! Recently shattering a 21-year-old USSA record, the reigning 2024 All Africa Games Champion has soared to 3rd place on Africa’s all-time top list! 🔥😤 pic.twitter.com/8eKLh9vs6I
And another All African Games champion, Mire Reinstorf (ACNW), will be hoping to shine as the favourite for the title in the women's pole vault.
The Championships are proudly supported by Jungle (Tiger Brands}, Msunduzi Local Municipality, KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and aQuellé.
WHERE TO WATCH:
18 April – Variety 4 - 12:40 - 17:00
19 April – Variety 4 - 14:25 - 17:45
20 April – Variety 4 - 14:15 - 17:15
21 April – Variety 4 - Morning Session: - 09:15 - 11:45, Afternoon Session: 12:45 - 16:10.