Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) proudly sent out a strong team this past weekend to represent the province at the 2023 ASA Cross Country Championships hosted in Gqeberha, Eastern Cape.
Central Gauteng Athletics Team celebrated each and every victory with great pride as athletes brought back home a total of 75 medals with a 37 athletes securing gold medals in individual and team prizes respectively.
Even though it was a windy day, for the province the day was day filled with celebratory and joy for our athletes, coaches, Cross Country commission and supporters who joined in to celebrate the province’s victory in a fairly challenging course that consisted of multiple hills.
One of the outstanding performances of the day and exciting to watch had to be the Senior Men 10km which is part of the World Championships event. Indeed, this showstopper did not disappoint as Kabelo Mulaudzi proved to be on form as he was cruising through the challenging course to win the event in an amazing time of 30:43. Mulaudzi has not just secured a gold medal but stand a chance of selection for the World Cross Country Championships in March 2024.
In the Junior women 6km, we saw the upcoming strong and passionate star Naledi Makgatha claim yet another victory for the province in a very relaxed run clocking 22:25. Makgatha was successful in defending her National title in cross country. Earlier this year she was crowned the 2023 5km junior champion in the inaugural National 5km Champions. The athlete is definitely a consistent star to look out for and she is on a journey to having a great athletics career.
The thrilling and excitement of the senior 4km event will always be part of the events to look out for. Nkosinathi Sibiya was crowned 2023 National 4km Cross Country Champion in an amazing style in a field of equally exceptional athletes to secure his well-deserved gold medal in the time of 11:48. Sibiya has been very consistent in his performance over the years and as the province we are looking for a great breakthrough in the upcoming Absa series.
The final race of the day that was exciting to watch was the senior men 2km event. Indeed, this was a showstopper with Boikanyo Motlhamme leading the race from the start to secure a gold medal for the province in the time of 05:49. To close of the medal tally for CGA was Nicholas Whittaker taking home a silver medal in the same event clocking 05:52.
Central Gauteng Athletics congratulate all CGA athletes that took part at the championships this past weekend, we are very proud of all the medal winners. It was an exciting day full of positivity demonstrated by all CGA members and supporters. A special thank you to all CGA athletes, commission, team management and all supporters for flying the CGA flag high.
Photo Credit: Petrus Rademeyer Photography
