Track athletes are again expected to steal the show on Wednesday night when local athletes line up against their international opponents at the second leg of the ASA Grand Prix Series, a World Athletics Continental Tour meeting at Germiston Athletics Stadium.
African champion Sokwakhana “Soks” Zazini will enter the blocks alongside African Championships bronze medallist Wiseman Were Mukhobe of Kenya in what is expected to be a thrilling contest in the men’s 400m hurdles, while all eyes will be on in-form athlete Zeney van der Walt, who lines up as the favourite against a strong local field in the women’s version of 400m hurdles.
In the 100m sprints, Kenyan star Ferdinand Omanyala will again turn out as the firm favourite in the men’s race, and national junior champion Kayla Murray will be hoping to stun her senior opponents in a wide open women’s race.
Marione Fourie will be confident of charging to another victory in the women’s 100m hurdles, while former World Championships finalist Victor Hogan shouldn’t have too much trouble in the men’s discus throw.
The local contingent will have to be at their best in the women’s 400m race, however, against an international field which features versatile Norwegian athlete Line Kloster, as well as Lydia Jele and Naledi Lopang of Botswana.
Other events on the programme include men’s 400m and 110m hurdles, men’s and women’s 200m events, men’s and women’s 800m races, the men’s triple jump and high hump, and the women’s shot put.
“We’re looking forward to another blockbuster meeting after a successful first leg at Tuks Athletics Stadium last week,” said James Moloi the President of Athletics South Africa. “We are making many athletes happy with this opportunity of providing high level competition for athletes here at home and in their own continent before they venture fulltime into the calendar.
“Several athletes clocked their personal bests while others set national records early in the season. There’s a good chance that we may see another national record going down and the question is more about from which country it will be. We definitely expect better times as confidence has built after the first meeting.”
It is an absolute honour for us as a Province to host the ASA Grand Prix 2. We are extremely excited and anticipate great performances by athletes who will be showcasing their amazing talent, said CGA President Steven Khanyile.
