Udeme Okon delivered a stunning upset on Saturday, winning the national 200m title in his age group on the third and final day of the ASA U16, U18, U20 and U23 Track and Field Championships at Green Point Stadium in Cape Town.
Okon, who secured the world junior 400m title last year, won the U23 men’s half-lap final in the Mother City, beating national senior 200m champion Benjamin Richardson.
Representing Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), Okon completed the race in 20.48 seconds, with Richardson settling for the silver medal in 20.67.
“I don’t think I was the favourite to win because I was running against guys who specialise in the 200m, but I just had to show people I can be versatile,” Okon, a one-lap specialist, said afterwards.
At the age of 19, Okon was set to embark on his first European tour after the upcoming ASA Senior Championships in Potchefstroom, and he was eager to launch his professional career as a senior athlete.
“I’m competing on the European circuit where I hope to run quicker in the 400m and maybe I’ll do some 200m races as well. It’s very exciting.”
Jingqi wins again
In the U23 women’s 200m sprint, 20-year-old Viwe Jingqi triumphed in 23.35, earning her second gold medal of the week after she won the 100m sprint in her age group two days earlier.
She finished well ahead of Precious Molepo, who took the runner-up spot in 23.81.
Running into a headwind in relatively cool conditions, Jingqi was pleased with her performance.
“I felt the wind in the home straight but I kept telling myself to keep form, and in the last 20 metres I could feel I was starting to fall a little bit forward but I thought to myself ‘just finish’. But honestly, I can’t complain about conditions because that was a good time,” Jingqi said.
“My confidence is there this year, and this just feels like reassurance in a way, and every time I win a national title it feels like something new and it’s a surprise to me because athletes get nervous, and sometimes nerves are not a good thing, so I’m very happy with this win.”
Records tumble
Meanwhile, five records fell in younger age groups, as the nation’s most talented prospects continued to flaunt their class.
In the U20 women’s discus throw final, Chirste Loedolff (AGN) set a national record of 53.76m.
Four records were also set in the U16 age group, with Isabella van der Merwe clocking 5:01.44 in the girls 1500m steeplechase, Bulela Mganu crossing the line in 4:23.94 in the boys 1500m steeplechase, Lijane Jansen van Rensburg (AVT) landing the discus at 55.00m, and Athletics Gauteng North completing the boys swedish relay in 2:00.65.
After three days of thrilling competition across four age groups, Athletics Gauteng North emerged as dominant overall champions, raking in a total of 168 medals (74 gold, 48 silver and 46 bronze).
Athletics Central North West finished second in the medals table (24 gold, 21 silver and 15 bronze) and Central Gauteng Athletics ended third (23 gold, 22 silver and 26 bronze).
