Quality SA contingent blessed with gems
With one month remaining ahead of the World Athletics Championships in London, South African athletes are looking for a record medal haul at the biennial showpiece.
While the national federation is expected to announce a small team for the event, a number of local stars have established their places among the favourites for global titles.
Here are some of the country’s top medal contenders ahead of the final build-up:
Wayde van Niekerk – Well on track to becoming one of the most celebrated sprinters of all time, the lanky speedster is in seemingly unbeatable shape. Having rocketed to a 100m personal best (9.94), a 200m national record (19.84), a 300m world best (30.81) and a Diamond League series record in the 400m event (43.66), he should have little trouble retaining his one-lap crown in the English capital. If he has it all his own way, with a wide-open field in the half-lap dash, he might just win the 200m as well.
Luvo Manyonga – Easily the best long jumper in the world at the moment, there are not enough superlatives to describe Manyonga’s immense talent. With the Olympic silver medallist having leaped beyond 8.60m at four meetings this season, talk has revolved more around his ability to break the 8.95m world record than his chances of winning gold. He won’t be handed the world title on a silver platter, but it will be a huge upset if he finishes anywhere other than first.
Wesley Bo on
Caster Semenya – Putting aside her long-term ambitions in the 400m and 1 500m events, Semenya has again concentrated on the 800m distance on the topflight circuit this season. Though she has not yet confirmed her schedule for the World Championships, the Olympic champion is expected to have it all her own way in the two-lap final.
She has dipped under 1:58.00 in all three of her international appearances in 2017, and her season’s best of 1:56.61 is the fastest time in the world this year.
Akani Simbine – Perhaps the most consistent sprinter on the international circuit at the moment, the Olympic 100m finalist has dipped under 10 seconds eight times in the last four months. Having also clocked 19.95 in the 200m event, he will be among the contenders over both shortsprint distances. Though he faces a tougher challenge than Van Niekerk, Simbine will also target a podium double.
Ruswahl Samaai – While Manyonga has dominated the long jump discipline, Samaai has also been in superb shape. The African champion holds four of the top 10 leaps in the world this year, and though his compatriot might be out of reach if he is at his best, Samaai will be among the favourites for the minor podium places.
Antonio Alkana – Though he has not yet found the consistency, Alkana has enjoyed a marvellous breakthrough season. His national record of 13.11 in the 110m hurdles proves he has what it takes to challenge for medals at major championships, but he will need to be at his best over three rounds to give himself a chance.
Sunette Viljoen – Struggling to find her best form this year, Viljoen is ranked a lowly 12th in the javelin. Nevertheless, with a host of experience (including two World Championships bronze medals and an Olympic silver) she will again line up as a real contender. Holding a 63.49m season’s best, Viljoen will probably need to find a few more metres if she is to step on the podium again, but she remains confident that a big throw is lurking in her arm.