Following a memorable event last year which saw world and national records tumbling, top-flight stars are set to light up the track again when the 13th edition of the annual Simbine Curro Classic Shootout is held at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria on Saturday, 8 February.
Last year’s edition was the most explosive since the inaugural Classic Shootout was held in 2013.
At the 2024 event, Letsile Tebogo of Botswana tore around the Pilditch track in 30.69 seconds, setting a new 300m world best to open his season, which ultimately concluded with the 21-year-old sprinter winning a historic 200m gold medal at the Olympic Games in Paris.
In addition, South African icon Akani Simbine set a new SA best of 15.04 in the men’s 150m race and rising star Viwe Jingqi achieved a national women’s 150m best of 16.93.
With the Classic Shootout giving athletes an opportunity to make a statement and showcase their form in the early stages of the season, thrilling races and fast times are expected again, with quality line-ups being unveiled for next week’s event.
The programme features invitation races over 60m, 150m, 300m and 600m for men and women, and some electric performances are on the cards.
60 metres
In the men’s 60m sprint, junior sensation Bayanda Walaza will make his debut over the distance, as he launches his 2025 season.
Walaza earned a memorable double gold in the 100m and 200m sprints at the 2024 World Athletics U20 Championships and formed part of the South African 4x100m relay team that grabbed the silver medal at the Paris Olympics.
All eyes will be on Walaza in his final season in the U20 age group, and the Classic Shootout will give fans an opportunity to see him in action for the first time this year.
150 metres
Over the 150m distance, former national 200m champion and World Championships finalist Luxolo Adams will headline the local onslaught in the men’s race.
In the women’s contest, the field includes the likes of Shirley Nekhubui and 20-year-old Kayla la Grange.
Nekhubui, who edged out La Grange to win the national senior 200m title last season, went on to reach the 200m and 400m finals at the African Championships in Cameroon. She also formed part of the SA 4x400m mixed relay squad that secured the gold medal.
La Grange shone on the domestic circuit last year, securing the 100m and 200m titles at the SA U23 Championships and claiming silver over 200m at the SA Senior Championships at the age of 19.
300 metres
In the 300m event, fireworks are expected, with a strong field confirmed for the men’s race, featuring the likes of 19-year-old sensation Udeme Okon, as well as Sinesipho Dambile and Emile Erasmus.
Okon flaunted his ability at the World U20 Championships in Lima last year, winning 400m gold and leading the SA 4x400m relay team to the silver medal.
He will have to work hard for it, however, against a field which also includes 22-year-old Dambile, a former finalist at the African Championships, and Erasmus, a former medallist in the 4x100m relay at the African Championships and Commonwealth Games.
600 metres
And in the men’s 600m race, national U23 champion Renier de Villiers will be eager to put up a fight again after finishing fourth last season in 1:15.31.
The Simbine Curro Classic Shootout will be broadcast live on Super Schools.
* Featured image of Udeme Okon by Cecilia van Bers
