Jobodwana to show Munyai a few things in Ruimsig
MOST of the attention ahead of the inaugural Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix in Ruimsig today has been on the men’s 200m but there is no denying the star quality of the field.
It could be argued it is one of the most exciting half-lap races in South Africa in recent years with the likes of Anaso Jobodwana, Clarence Munyai, and Motswana sprinter Isaac Makwala going headto-head.
The race will be without world 400m record-holder Wayde van Niekerk due to his recovery from injury, while Akani Simbine will only be in action at next week’s meeting in Pretoria.
But that hardly takes away from the high-quality field that has been assembled.
World 200m bronze medallist Jobodwana has spoken about the rivalry between him and Munyai, and although the banter between the athletes is in good spirit the competitiveness between them is real.
Munyai fired the first shot over the weekend when he raced to a new 100m personal best of 10.10 seconds at the Athletics Gauteng North meeting in Pretoria.
The junior national 200m record-holder withdrew from the final, where Jobodwana ran a wind-aided 10.07.
“I ran a personal best in the semi-final and I thought I would allow Anaso to run in the final to gain confidence,” 20-year-old Munyai said.
Instead of immediately firing back, Jobodwana responded more diplomatically, demonstrating his maturity of facing some of the biggest stars of global track athletics.
“The first day I got back to Pretoria, I watched Clarence have a bit of a go about who is going to beat whom in the 100m,” Jobodwana said.
“I thought I need to get back because if I am not ready I can’t trash talk as well.
“It is good to be back, feeling healthy right now running good races and Thursday it’s my time to show Clarence a few things.”
Although 31-year-old Makwala is a regular on the local South African track and field scene, he will now have an opportunity to demonstrate his talent against a strong field.
Makwala is one of the world’s top sprinters, proving his star quality last year where he posted the fastest 200-400m double in one day, recording a sub-20 and sub-44 second time just 75 minutes apart at the Monaco Diamond League meeting.
South Africa’s 200m world youth champion Retshidisitswe Mlenga will be looking to prove himself against the seniors, while Americans Trentavis Friday, the 2014 world junior champion, and Justin Walker have also been added to the startlist.
The women’s 400m also promises much, with the Botswana contingent lead by 2011 world champion Amantle Montsho taking on South Africa’s Justine Palframan and Wenda Nel.
World youth high jump champion Breyton Poole, who boasts a best of 2.25m, takes on Mpho Links (2.23m PB) and South African champion Chris Moleya (2.25m PB).