Simbine’s season off to a head start

Akani Simbine shook off the rust as he opened his season with a comfortable victory in the 200m at Potchefstroom on Wednesday night.

He clocked 20.39sec on a chilly evening at the Ken McArthur stadium that seemed subdued compared with the #FillUpPotch campaign that had ignited the national championships two years ago.

Spectators covered only half the main stand, but perhaps that was partly because Athletics SA (ASA) had advertised this grand prix meet as taking place on Thursday.

It was originally supposed to be, but then the federation brought it forward one day without really announcing the change.

Perhaps the fans will descend on the North West town on Thursday. But those who did not arrive did not miss out on too much.

One highlight was the men’s 4x400m team, who clocked 3min 02.13sec to qualify for the World Relays in Japan in May.

Simbine was another. His time was far off his 19.95 best, but he was still dominant.

“A bit of a rusty race, first race of the season.”

This is the first time the 100m king has opened up in the 200m, which will be his event at the SA championships in Germiston next weekend.

“It’s different because I’m so used to going with the 100s.

“I’m really happy with where I am,” he said, adding he was focusing on endurance in training so he could survive what will be a lengthy season.

The world championships in Doha is later than normal, spilling into early October.

Simbine is planning to run his first 100m at the Shanghai Diamond League on May 18.

He was not the only big name in action.

Olympic silver medallist Sunette Viljoen ended second in the women’s javelin in 56.95, just 25cm behind Irena Sediva of the Czech Republic.

It is not her first disappointing start to a season, and she will surely be back soon.

Victor Hogan was the only man to clear 60m in the discus, ahead of Werner Visser, the 2015 under-18 world champion, with 59.40.

World U18 and U20 400m hurdles champion Zeney van der Walt got the better of Wenda Nel in the flat 400m, catching her on the home straight to beat the veteran by 0.3sec.

Crossing the line in 53.34 and 53.64 respectively, they were no match for the winner, Galefele Moroko of Botswana, who clocked 51.63. -