Defending champions Akani Simbine and Carina Horn had the crowd on their feet at NWU McArthur Athletics Stadium on Thursday, winning their fifth national titles in the men's and women's 100m finals on day one of the ASA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom.
Simbine, representing Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), displayed spectacular form, winning his first-round heat in 9.98 seconds and taking his semifinal in 992.
He went on to win the final in 10.14 in cooler conditions, with 19-year-old Benjamin Richardson taking second place for host province Athletics Central North West (ACNW) in 10.27 and Rivaldo Roberts of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) finishing third in 10.36.
"I had a little technical error in the beginning, but other than that I had a good race," Simbine said.
"It's just unfortunate it's a bit chilly right now and the wind was against us, but the legs feel good. I could go again.
"I'm happy to be running well and feeling good. I'm in a good space."
HORN HOLDS OFF THOMAS
Horn (CGA) had to put up a strong fight to hold off Tamzin Thomas (ACNW) who pushed her all the way to the line, but the SA record holder managed to hold on for the gold medal in 11.52.
Thomas earned the silver medal in 11.58 and national junior champion Kayla Murray (AGN) secured the bronze medal in 11.85.
"It was a bit tough but I'm just happy to defend my title and now I'm looking forward to the rest of the season," Horn said.
"I'm glad to still be going well and to get my fifth title. This is probably my second-last year (competing) so it feels good to have it again."
VAN NIEKERK IMPRESSES IN HEATSWayde van Niekerk, running for Boland Athletics (BOLA) was also impressive in the men's 400m heats, with the world record holder experiencing no trouble as he cruised to a comfortable victory in his first-round contest in 45.99.
In other track events on the opening day of competition, Glenrose Xaba (AGN) won her sixth SA title in the women's 10 000m final, crossing the finish line in 33:02.13, Andries Sesedi (CGA) won the men's 10 000m race in 29:52.19, and the AGN team won the mixed 4x400m relay in 3:28.32.
In men's field events, former World Athletics Championships finalist Victor Hogan (BOLA) won the discus throw with a 62.01m heave, Waldouw Smit (ACNW) secured gold in the men's javelin throw with a best effort of 74.59m, and Valco van Wyk (ACNW) sailed over at 5.20m to win the men's pole vault title.
Among the women, junior athlete Ashley Erasmus of Athletics Mpumalanga (AMPU) earned gold in the women's shot put with a 16.85m heave, Michelle Ngozo of Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) won the women's high jump final after clearing the bar at 1.80m, and Sydney Rothman (BOLA) took the women's pole vault final with a 3.80m clearance.