Versatile hurdler Tumi Ramokgopa was the star performer for Team South Africa on Saturday, securing a silver medal on Day 4 of the World Athletics U20 Championships in Eugene, Oregon.
Ramokgopa continued to flaunt the impressive form she has displayed this season, taking second place in the women's 100m hurdles final in 12.96 seconds, just 0.03 outside her own SA junior record (12.93). In a tightly contested race, the top three athletes all dipped under 13 seconds. American athlete Madeline Cooper won gold in 12.91 and Jamaica's Tiana Marshall claimed bronze in 12.97.
Three other SA athletes also put up a fight in the finals of their events on the day. Daniel von der Heyden finished sixth in the men's decathlon, earning 7696 points in 10 disciplines over two days of competition. Phenyo Miyen took eighth place in the men's 110m hurdles final in 13.26, setting a new personal best, and former national senior champion Rume Burger was eighth in the women's 200m final in 23.39.
Four South African athletes and two national relay teams remained in the hunt for medals, progressing beyond qualifying rounds to book their spots in finals to be held on the final day of the global championships on Sunday. Ramokgopa won her 400m hurdles semifinal in 56.80, as she set her sights on another podium place. Her compatriot, Megan Nieman, finished fourth in her semifinal in 57.56. She missed out on a place in the final by less than 0.01 in a photo finish.
Matodzi Ndou (49.66) and Lesibe Dikgale (50.50) did well to take second position in their respective semifinals, and they qualified for the medal battle in the men's 400m hurdles. Punching above his weight, 16-year-old prospect Joshua Gerber was superb in the men's discus throw qualifying round, launching a personal best of 61.19m to reach the final.
In relay heats, the national 4x400m men's team - Ryno Riekert, Kryn Romijn, Abelines Schoeman and Leendert Koekemoer - ended second in their race in 3:05.08. And the 4x100m men's squad - Zattu Hlongwane, Mukona Manavhela, Caylon Ryan and Marko Ferreira - were also second in their first-round heat in 39.86.
Both teams qualified for Sunday's final, as South Africa looked to climb the medals table before the biennial junior showpiece comes to a close.
With one day of competition remaining, South Africa was in ninth place in the overall standings with five medals (one gold, one silver and three bronze).
SCHEDULE OF SA ATHLETES COMPETING ON SUNDAY (SA TIMES):
9pm - discus throw final, men (Joshua Gerber)
10.19pm - 4x100m relay final, men (SA team)
10.30pm - 400m hurdles final, women (Tumi Ramokgopa)
10.40pm - 400m hurdles final, men (Matodzi Ndou, Lesibe Dikgale)
10.46pm - javelin throw women, final (Marine Grobler, Stephane Hook)
11.25pm - 1500m final, men (Tiisetso Malungane)
11.55pm - 4x400m final, men (SA team).