Jobodwana and Munyai renew rivalry
JOHANNESBURG: Most of the attention ahead of the inaugural Liquid Telecom Athletix Grand Prix in Roodepoort today has been on the men’s 200m, but there is no denying the star quality of the field.
It could be one of the most exciting half-lap races in South Africa in recent years with the likes of Anaso Jobodwana, Clarence Munyai, and Botswana’s Isaac Makwala going head to head.
The race will sadly 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 assembled considering how early it is in the season.
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 last weekend when he raced to a new 100m personal best of 10.10 seconds at the Gauteng North championships in Pretoria.
The junior national 200m record holder withdrew from the final, where Jobodwana ran a wind-aided 10.07sec.
“I ran a personal best in the semi-final and I thought I would allow Anaso to run in the final to gain confidence,” Munyai said.
Instead of immediately firing back, Jobodwana responded by demonstrating the maturity gained 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. I thought I needed to get back because if I am not ready, I can’t trash talk as well,” Jobodwana said.
“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.”
He believes assembling strong line-ups will help inspire the next generation.
“When we were juniors we didn’t have these kind of meets we could get into, the competitions weren’t high quality, and now we have high-quality sponsorships and competition with the likes of Clarence, Akani, and Wayde,” Jobodwana said.
“It allows for the younger generation to see us in action because most of the time they see us in Europe.
“Last year it was difficult for me to get into any competitive meets because I didn’t run fast, but now I have an opportunity to run at home in a competitive meet.”
Although Makwala is a regular on the local scene, he will now have an opportunity to demonstrate his talent against a loaded field.
South Africa’s 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) and SA champion Chris Moleya (2.25m).
Ticket prices vary from R50R100 per person and can be purchased on www.webtickets. co.za or at the gates.