ASA announces preliminary team for World Athletic Championships

A total of 58 athletes have been included in the ASA Preliminary Team and Preparation Squad in the build-up to the 2023 World Athletic Championships to be held in Budapest, Hungary between 19-27 August.

The Preliminary Team, which consists of athletes who have automatically qualified by entry standard, features 10 athletes in individual events as well as the SA men's 4x100m relay team.

The nine men athletes who have already booked their places in the team are Akani Simbine(100m), Wayde van Niekerk (400m), Zakithi Nene (400m), Lythe Pillay (400m), Ryan Mphahlele (1500m), Tshepo Tshite (1500m), Sokwakhana Zazini (400m hurdles), Stephen Mokoka (marathon) and Melikhaya Frans (marathon).

The only SA woman to have qualified on time thus far is African Championships gold medallist Zeney van der Walt, who has been included in the 400m hurdles event.

In addition, 48 athletes have been included in the ASA Preparation Squad, having provisionally qualified with a wild card or by ranking.

The squad features 38 athletes in individual events, as well as 10 more sprinters added to full-strength relay squads in the men's 4x100m event and the men's and women's 4x400m events.

The World Athletics Championships qualifying deadline for the marathon and the 35km race walk was 30 May 2023, and the qualifying window closes for all other events on 30 July 2023.

“The preliminary team that we are announcing is made of athletes who have worked very hard to qualify themselves. The door is still slightly opened for others to qualify. In due course we will announce the final team for those who have made the final cut to go to Budapest.

“Congratulations to all the hard workers who have made it into this preliminary squad we are announcing today and wish everyone the best of luck in improving their performances, avoiding injuries and to the rest who are still trying to qualify,” said the President of Athletics South Africa, James Moloi.