Women hurdlers and throwers are expected to take centre stage this week when the elite
\nbattle for the podium ensues at the ASA Senior, Combined Events and Relays
\nChampionships at Msunduzi Athletics Stadium in Pietermaritzburg from Thursday to
\nSunday (18-21 April 2024).<\/p>\n
In both hurdles\u2019 events, some of the best races at the domestic championships are
\npredicted. For instance, in the 100m race over the barriers, SA record holder Marione
\nFourie lines up against Athletics Gauteng North (AGN) teammate and former national
\nrecord holder Taylon Bieldt.<\/p>\n
Over the 400m hurdles, Bieldt will be eager to flaunt her versatility once again, but it's
\ngoing to be tough against a field which includes Commonwealth Games medallist Zeney
\nGeldenhuys, the defending champion, and rising junior star Tumi Ramokgopa, in what
\ncould be another AGN showdown.<\/p>\n
In the field events, exciting battles are expected in the women's shot put and discus throw
\nfinals. In both disciplines, the line-up is spearheaded by Mine de Klerk (AFS), who returns
\nfrom her base in the United States to showcase her talent on home soil. She will have to
\nbe at her best, however, against 18 year-old Ashley Erasmus of Athletics Mpumalanga
\n(AMPU), rising 17 year-old star Alicia Khunou (AGN), and experienced athlete Ischke
\nSenekal of Eastern Province Athletics (EPA), a five-time winner of the shot put\/discus
\nthrow double at the national championships.<\/p>\n
Among the sprinters, all eyes will be on in-form junior athlete Viwe Jingqi when she enters
\nthe blocks for the 100m and 200m events. In both sprints she goes up against
\nexperienced campaigner Tamzin Thomas of Athletics Central North West (ACNW) and 19
\nyear-old Kayla la Grange (CGA).<\/p>\n
Over the 400m distance, hurdles star Geldenhuys faces African champion Miranda
\nCoetzee of Athletics North West North (ANWN), junior prospect Precious Molepo (AGN)
\nand versatile speedster Shirley Nekhubui (CGA). Coetzee will also turn out in the 200m
\nevent and Nekhubui has added the 100m sprint to her schedule.<\/p>\n
Middle-distance star Prudence Sekgodiso is skipping her preferred 800m distance, as she
\ntargets double gold in the 1 500m and 5 000m events for host province KwaZulu-Natal
\nAthletics (KZNA).<\/p>\n
In the 1 500m her biggest challenges will come from African Championships finalist Carina
\nViljoen (CGA) and former national champion Danielle Verster (ACNW), and in the 5 000m
\nshe toes the line against defending champion Kyla Jacobs of Western Province Athletics
\n(WPA) and national 5km road running champion Tayla Kavanagh (KZNA).<\/p>\n
In the women’s 800m event, another KZNA star, Gena Lofstrand, will aim to reclaim the
\nnational title she won as a 17 year-old in 2013, after taking the runner-up spot in her last
\nfive appearances over two laps at the ASA Senior Championships.<\/p>\n
The women’s 10 000m final should also produce a tightly contested affair between the
\nlikes of six-time champion Glenrose Xaba (AGN), Cacisile Sosibo of Central Gauteng
\nAthletics (CGA) and experienced athlete Kesa Molotsane in the colours of Athletics Free
\nState (AFS).<\/p>\n
Elsewhere in-field, Jo-Ane van Dyk (ACNW) will headline the women’s javelin throw event
\nafter winning gold at the recent All African Games in Accra, Ghana last month. And
\nanother All African Games champion, Mire Reinstorf (ACNW), will be hoping to shine as
\nthe favourite for the title in the women's pole vault.
\nThe Championships are proudly supported by Jungle (Tiger Brands}, Msunduzi Local
\nMunicipality, KZN Department of Sport, Arts and Culture and aQuell\u00e9.<\/p>\n
WHERE TO WATCH:
\n18 April \u2013 Variety 4 – 12:40 – 17:00
\n19 April \u2013 Variety 4 – 14:25 – 17:45
\n20 April \u2013 Variety 4 – 14:15 – 17:15
\n21 April \u2013 Variety 4 – Morning Session: – 09:15 – 11:45, Afternoon Session: 12:45 – 16:10.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"