U18s sprint to top of athletics medal table

South Africa completed a clean sweep in the boys’ sprints to top the medals table for the first time at the International Association of Athletics Federation World Under-18 Championships in Nairobi last week.

South Africa amassed 10 medals, including five golds, over the fiveday competition.

They started the final day with a 1-2 in the men’s 200m, won by Retshidisitswe Mlenga in a seasonbest time of 21.03.

The 17-year-old Mlenga, who already held the best time at altitude of 21.14, held off compatriot Tshenolo Lemao in a reverse result to the men’s 100m.

“I came in very focused, having made a mistake in the 100m finals that happens to be my favourite race,” said Mlenga.

“I listened to my coaches’ instructions this time, and I am happy to have won the gold medal.”

Lemao, who won South Africa’s first-ever gold in the 100m, took silver in a personal best of 21.12, and Germany’s Luis Brandner (21.23) was third.

China finished second in the medals table with five gold medals, two silvers and four bronze, with Cuba in third with five gold, two silvers and a bronze.

Hosts Kenya finished a disappointing fourth, but with the highest number of medals, 15 —their lowest position in the biennial championships.

A capacity crowd of more than 60000 turned out at the Kasarani stadium to watch the Kenyan runners win the boys’ 2000m steeplechase and the girls’ 800m, but poor team tactics put paid to the hosts’ hopes of a third world title when they lost the boys’ 3000m to archrivals Ethiopia.

Ethiopia’s world U20 5 000m champion Selemon Barega added the 3000m title to his collection. — AFP