Superb performances were achieved across the board on Saturday, as South Africa’s junior and senior stars delivered in style at the Curro Podium Grand Final held at Pilditch Stadium in Pretoria.
With the high schools event incorporating the Simbine Curro Classic Shootout, which featured invitation senior races, the sprinters were the standout performers.
In the women’s 300m race, Shirley Nekhubui set a new SA best, storming to victory in 36.36 seconds.
Nekhubui, who reached the 200m and 400m finals at last year’s African Championships, took 0.12 off the 300m national best of 36.48 set by Miranda Coetzee in February 2023.
Walaza and Okon show early season form
Meanwhile, Bayanda Walaza rocketed to victory in the men’s 60m dash, clocking 6.58 in a hard-fought battle.
The 18-year-old speedster, who climbed to ninth place in the all-time 60m world rankings for U20 athletes, narrowly held off Rivaldo Roberts who took second place in 6.59.
“It was my first time running 60m and it felt great. I hope I can repeat this type of performance again,” Walaza said after the race.
And fellow world junior champion Udeme Okon was equally impressive, taking the men’s 300m contest in 31.83.
Despite taking his foot off the throttle in the closing stages of the race, Okon clocked the third fastest time ever run by a South African over the 300m distance. Only Wayde van Niekerk (30.81) and Clarence Munyai (31.61) have run quicker.
“It was a good race. I got here with a positive mindset, and the results are good, so I’m happy,” said Okon.
High school performances
Meanwhile, in Curro Podium Grand Final races, Leendert Koekemoer and Tumi Ramokgopa were the star performers.
Koekemoer tore clear of the rest of the field in the U19 boys 400m sprint, setting a lightning fast personal best of 45.60.
He climbed to fifth place in the all-time South African junior rankings in the one-lap event.
Ramokgopa, the SA youth record holder in the 400m hurdles, also impressed in her first race in her specialist event in the junior age group.
She crossed the line in 57.78 to win the U19 girls one-lap race over the barriers.
* Additional reporting by Pearl Mokoena and Godfrey Komane
** Featured image of Shirley Nekhubui by Cecilia van Bers
Young Leenart Koekemoer was excellent in the 100mt 200mt
Go young athletes You make us proud