Central Gauteng Athletics successfully hosted a 2 days provincial Track and Field Championships on
Friday, 10March and Saturday, 11 March 2023 at Germiston Stadium.
The championships came after the provinces hosted 5 successful leagues which had exceptional performances and were well supported by our athletes. This season we had managed to attract a number of our sister provinces and athletes from neighbouring countries such as Botswana, Lesotho and Mozambique to name a few.
Preparations and readiness of our athletes was evident at the champs as we draw closer to the National Championships which will be taking place later this month. The u16/U18/U20 National Championships are scheduled for the 23 to 25 of March 2023 in Pietermaritzburg and Senior National Championships scheduled for the 30 to 1 April 2023 in Potchefstroom. The Championships are part of the selection criteria as the final trial for selection with athletes expected to meet the qualifying standards.
One of the highlight over the weekend has to be the sprint sensation and 2022 World Athletics U20 Championships Gold Medalist, Lythe Pillay of UJ who showcased his fine form to secure a Gold Medal in the Senior Men 400m event. Pillay clocked 0:45.50 followed by his team mate Mbuso Nyambi in the second position in the time 0:48.33 and appearing on the 3rd place on the CGA podium with a bronze medal in the colors of Warriors of West AC was Kabelo Moholobela.
The consistent event of the season goes to the Senior Men 800m where we witnessed UJ dominating the event claiming all three podium positions with Boikanyo Motlhame in the 1st position in the time of 1:49.47, Neo Hlalukane clocking 1:50.47 to take home a silver medal and the bronze medal on winner was Tshegofatso Nwangu who clocked 1:51.90. The dominance of UJ the Orange Army was very evidence and showing great talent at the Championships.
In the 1500m Men U20 saw a very competitive battle between CGA’s 2022 Most Promising male athlete of the year title winner Johannes Morepe of Murray and Roberts and Sibusiso Msibi of UJ as they ran head to head throughout the race. Only at the 450 meters to go, Morepe showed his courage and lead the race to secure his gold medal spot in the time of 03:47.08. Msibi to settle for a silver medal clocking 03:53.90 while Jaden de Wet of HELP AC closed the podium for a bronze medal. The women U20 1500m race was dominated by the CGA’s 2022 Most Promising female athlete of the Year, Naledi Makgatha of Murray and Roberts claiming the gold medal in the time 04:32.45 making Faith Mabhena of UJ to settle for a silver medal clocking 04:52.29. the 3rd position went to Ubuhle’s Mahlatsi Ngwenya in the time of 04:53.48.
The 5000m Senior Men event was one of the thrilling events of day 2 that Ryan Mphlahlele pulled a showstopper with an amazing performance bettered a 32-year-old Stadium Record of 13:48.35 set by Richard Chelimo during the Unity Games in 1992. Mphahlele clocked 13:46.57 to better the record and secure a gold medal. His team mate Maxime Chaumeton was forced to settle for a silver medal with Kabelo Seboko of Boxer taking the bronze medal. It was a great weekend for Mphahlele as he pulled a double as he also claimed a gold medal in the Senior Men 1500m race clocking 03:37.57 outshining Nkosinathi Sibiya of UJ and Mmuso Fotoi of Colossus finishing in the time of 03:55.88 and 03:57.03 respectively. At the post-race interview, Mphahlele shared his excitement and indicated that we should lookout for best performances yet to come this season.
Another hot event of the day had to be the Senior Men 400m hurdles where we saw Sabelo Dlamini dominating the event securing a gold medal crossing the finish line in the time 0:52.23. This amazing athlete indicated that this season was not smooth as he experienced a lot of injuries. Also indicating that he is over the moon about getting two medals (a silver in long jump) and most importantly achieving ASA qualifiers in both events.
With shot put being one of the toughest and straining events we saw quite interesting performances in the women U120 and men U20 Shotput events. Zonica Lindeque of HSRB dominating the women U20 event securing a gold medal throwing a distance of 15.53, appearing on the podium with a silver medal was Amari Van Niekerk from Monnas securing a distance of 12.87. Taking home a bronze medal with a distance of 11.62 was Clarrisssa Le Roux of JAC. In the men U20 shotput event, JL Van Rensburg took on his team mate with a throw of 18.30m, Cian de Villiers of Nories and Morne Venter of Monnas had to settle for a silver and bronze medals throwing 18.16m and 16.55m.
Central Gauteng Athletics Track and Field Chairperson said she is confident that CGA will be sending a very strong team to represent the province at the respective 2023 National Track and Field Championships. The team will be announced in due time.
Central Gauteng Athletics
Track and Field Commission
Office Phone: 011 873 2726
Email: media@centralgautengathletics.co.za
Twitter: @CG_Athletics
Facebook: Central Gauteng Athletics
Picture Credit : BK Images
