Exciting national championships: South Africa's junior athletes prepare for glory

The stage is set for one of the most exciting junior athletics events in South Africa, as the ASA U16, U18, U20, and U23 Track and Field Championships kick off today at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town. The event, running from March 27 to 29, will showcase the country's most promising young talents, many of whom are already making waves on the international stage.

With qualification spots for major championships on the line, including the ASA Senior Championships in April, the African U20 Championships in Algeria next month, and the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo later this year, athletes will be pushing themselves to the limit in pursuit of national glory, and potential international selection.

In the U23 men's division, all eyes will be on world junior 400m champion Udeme Okon and Olympic silver medalist Lythe Pillay, both expected to deliver electrifying performances. Meanwhile, in the U23 women's sprints, national senior 100m champion Viwe Jingqi will be the one to beat.

Other stars to watch include Chane Kok, the 2023 African U20 champion in the 100m hurdles, who will aim to dominate her event. The U20 age group features some of the most anticipated battles, especially in the sprints. SA junior 100m and 200m record holder Bayanda Walaza enters as the favorite, but he will face a strong challenge from Karabo Letebele.

Walaza, a decorated sprinter, is also an Olympic 4x100m silver medalist. Another standout athlete is 17-year-old Tumi Ramokgopa, who recently set a national U20 record in the women's 100m hurdles. In the field events, Aiden Smith is the top contender in the men's shot put, having won the first leg of the ASA Grand Prix Series earlier this month.

Njabulo Mbatha, a bronze medalist at the World U20 Championships in the 4x400m, is also one to watch, especially after his surprise victory over African record holder Ferdinand Omalaya in the 100m at the Tshangwe Grand Prix. Adding to the spectacle, 2024 African high jump champion Brian Raats will aim for more success.

Athletics South Africa (ASA) President James Moloi is confident that the championships will deliver thrilling moments and possibly new national records. "It's going down in Cape Point this week," said Moloi. 

"These are exciting times. We can safely predict that a minimum of two national records will fall. It's just a question of which one. We look forward to what promises to be another super time of action in South African athletics, where new champions will be unearthed and the contest for supremacy will keep us on our feet." said Moloi

With some of the country's brightest young stars in action, fans can expect three days of fast-paced sprints, high-flying jumps, and record-breaking performances as South Africa's junior elite athletes battle for national titles and a shot at international success.

IOL Sport