Dream debut for Motsau
JERRY Motsau surprised himself by grabbing bronze in the men’s 1 500m final on Tuesday, and the women’s football team booked their place in the quarterfinals after a thrilling win over Chinese Taipei, as Team South Africa’s campaign continued to build momentum at the World Student Games.
Motsau, 23, was edged out in a blanket finish, as he crossed the line in 3:39.51, taking third place to lift the country’s tally to six medals after four days of competition in Kazan, Russia.
Valentin Smirnov, representing the host nation, secured the gold medal in 3:39.39.
“I didn’t expect a medal because it’s my first World Student Games, so I’m very pleased,” Motsau said.
Shortly after his race, Motsau boarded a plane to Brussels, where he will compete on Saturday in an attempt to qualify for next month’s IAAF World Championships in Moscow.
Meanwhile, Anneri Ebersohn finished an impressive fifth in the women’s 400m hurdles final in 57.58 seconds. Anna Titimets of the Ukraine won gold in 54.64.
Earlier, PC Beneke comfortably won his semifinal in 49.91 seconds to qualify for Wednesday ’ s final in the men’s 400m hurdles.
Anaso Jobodwana, who won gold in the men’s 100m sprint earlier in the week, and Gideon Trotter both qualified for the men’s 200m semifinals. Jobodwana won his second-round heat in 20.76 seconds, while Trotter was third in his heat in 21.07.
Arista Nienaber (24.11) and Justine Palframan (24.43) also progressed to the semifinals of the women’s 200m event, taking second place in their respective heats.
The SA women’s football team reached the quarterfinals with a 3-2 win over Chinese Taipei in their last Group A match.
Noko Matlou, Leandra Smeda and Sanah Mollo all found the back of the net as South Africa progressed on points difference.
They will face Japan today for a place in the semifinals.
In judo, Seamus Mingay beat Ka Leong of Macau to reach the last 16 in the men’s under-66kg event.
He lost, however, to Rishad Sobirov of Uzbekistan in the next round. –