By Mark Ouma
22 January 2001 – Rustenberg, South Africa – The Czech Republic's Radek Zachoval and Stepan Tesarik, together with South Africans Jopie van Oudtshoorn and Bradley Agnew made triumphant returns to competition at the opening meeting of the ABSA Track and Field Series held at the Royal Bafokeng Stadium in Phokeng last night.
Zachoval could hardly contain his joy after winning the men's 200 metres in 20.67 seconds. South Africans Marcus La Grange (20.87) and Agnew (20.89) where second and third respectively. Though breathless immediately after the race, Zachoval was pleasantly surprised at improving his career best by almost a second.
"After failing to qualify for the 100 metres final, l did not expect much in the 200 metres. What’s more although l had run fast in the 200 metres, l did not expect to set a career best by such a huge margin at my first competition in such a long time. Previously my best outdoor time was 21.55, which l ran in 1998," said Zachoval.
"The big bonus for me is that l have qualified for the World (outdoor) championships in Edmonton. I will try and make the Czech team to the World Indoor Championships in Lisbon. But if l do not succeed, l will focus my thought on Edmonton," said the 22 year old Czech who has been out last action for two years due to a shin injury. Now I hope to be selected for our national team to the World Indoor Championships in March. If l am not selected l will prepare for the World Outdoor Championships in Edmonton," said Zachoval.
Terarik surged past South Africa Olympian Alwyn Myburgh over the last 40 metres to win the 400m hurdles in 49.49 seconds. Myburgh was runner up in 49.71, ahead of compatriot Daniel van Heerden (50.51).
"I have improved on my career best by over a second. That is the real achievement tonight. My previous best was 50.93 which l run in Jablonec (Czech Republic) three years ago. I have been nursing my ankle injury over the past two years. During that time l could not hurdle or jump. Instead l ran the 400 metre where l set a career best of 46.72 seconds in Budapest (Hungary) last year. The speed l developed has taken my hurdling to a new level. Patience during the rehabilitation of my ankle has paid off," said Tesarik who run the third leg in the Czech 4x400m relay team that clinched the gold medal at the European Indoor Championships last year.
Accelerating with 180 metres to the finish Van Oudtshoorn won the men's 400 metres in an impressive time of 45,68 seconds. "This is my first 400metres since last July and l am pleased with my time. I have been running the 100 and 200m quite a lot in recent weeks and so coming here and clocking a good time is encouraging. I want to improve on this time at the next meeting," said Oudtshoorn won a bronze medal at the last World Student Games in Spain.
Agnew clocked 10,44 seconds to win the men's 100 metres final after coasting to a comfortable 10,47 victory in the heats. He later finished third in the 200metres. "It’s a pleasant feeling to be back after missing the Olympics due to a hamstring injury. I am hungry for success and l want to maintain this winning form in Pietersburg on Saturday," said Agnew.
South Africa's budding sprinter Dikeledi Moropane had mixed fortunes in the 100 metres. On the one hand she edged Olympic 400 metres finalist Heide Seyerling to claim victory - Moropane clocked 11,45 seconds to Seyerling's 11,49 - however, after crossing the finishing line, she collapsed in tears and had to be stretchered off the track. Her Nigerian coach, Gordon Odinukaeze says there is nothing to worry about. "She suffered a muscle spasm in her right calf. After the physiotherapist had a look at her, we are happy she did not pull any muscle. She will be back in competition by the weekend," said Odinukaeze.
Valentina Ivanova's (Russia) fifth round throw of 62.04 was enough to win the women’s discus. Elizna Naude (56.50) and Lizette Schoeman (46.64) were second and third respectively.
South Africans and Czechs shared the spoils in the pole vault. Okkert Brits won the men' event with a clearance of 5,60 metres. While Stefan Jancek (5,20) and Adam Ptacek (5,20) where second and third. In the women’s contest Paula Hamackova (4,20) got the better of Elmarie Gerryts (4,10) and Marna Jacobs (3,80).
Hendrik Ramaala outpaced Shadrack Hoff on the last lap to win the mens 3000 metres. Ramaala was timed 8:06,50, to Hoff's 8:08,60, while Solomon Khambule was third in 8:11,53.
World Indoor 800 metres Champion Johan both signalled his intention to defend his title in Lisbon, when he won the 1000metres in 2:21.46. "All my training is geared towards defending my title in Lisbon, (Portugal). I ran a tactical race tonight and that is what l will do in the next two 800 metre races during this series. The races in Lisbon will be very tactical so l have to try out different race patterns," said Botha.
Olympic 3000 metre steeplechase semi-finalists Bob Tahri was runner up in 2:22.41. "I used this race to test my speed ahead of my indoor 1500 metres race in Karlshuhe, Germany on Saturday," said the Algerian-born Frenchman.
In the women’s high jump, Olympic silver medallist Hestrie Cloete and world junior bronze medallist Marizca Gertenbach each cleared the bar at 1,90 metres. However the Olympian carried the day after a count-back on earlier failed attempts.
Shaun Bownes got his season off to a promising start with a 13.55 seconds victory in the men’s 110 metres hurdles. "Although l had a shaky start, this is a decent time for a first race of the year. I want to run 13.4 in the next two meetings in this series. That should put me in good stead for the 60 metre hurdle races l intend to run in German, Sweden and Britain next month," said Bownes.
Leading results
Note: All athletes are South Africans unless where mentioned.
Men
100m
1 Bradley Agnew 10.44
2 Nnamdi Anusim (Nigeria) 10.49
3 Corne du Plessis 10.53
200m
1 Radek Zachoval (Czech Republic) 20.67 PB
2 Marcus La Grange 20.87
3 Bradley Agnew 20.89
200m B
1 Lloyd Zvasiya (Zimbabwe) 21.46
400m
1 Jopie van Oudtshoorn 45.68
2 Adriaan Botha 45.89
3 Tsepo Thobelangope 47.31
110m Hurdles
1 Shaun Bownes 13.55
2 Roman Sebrle (Czech Republic) 14.13
3 Ladislav Burdel (Czech Republic) 14.21
400m Hurdles
1 Stepan Tesarik (Czech Republic) 49.49
2 Alwyn Myburgh 49.71
3 Daniel van Heerden 50.81
1000m
1 Johan Botha 2:21.46
2 Bob Tahri (France) 2:22.41
3 Christo Boshoff 2:22.63
3000m
1 Hendrik Ramaala 8:06.50
2 Shadrack Hoff 8:08.60
3 Solomon Khambule 8:11.53
Long Jump
1 Felix Coetzee 7.86
2 Milan Kovar (Czech Republic) 7.60
3 Martin McClintosh 7.39
High Jump
1 Malcolm Hendriks 2.15
2 Jacque Freitag 2.10
3 Eugene Ernesta (Seychelles) 2.10
Pole Vault
1 Okkert Brits 5.60
2 Stefan Janacek (Czech Republic) 5.20
3 Adam Ptacek (Czech Republic) 5.20
Women
100m
1 Dikeledi Moropane 11.48
2 Heide Seyerling 11.49
3 Rita Onyebuchi (Nigeria) 11.86
200m
1 Heide Seyerling 23.11
2 Shade Ogundemi (Nigeria) 24.45
3 E Venter 25.03
400m
1. Michelle Louw 54.04
2 Leanie van der Walt 54.35
3 Melodi van der Merwe 55.30
100m Hurdles
1 Adri Vlok 13.90
2 Lana van Heerden 13.95
3 Marida Pretorius 14.02
400m Hurdles
1 Vanessa Becker 57.89
2 Kerry van Zyl 58.42
3 Lana van Heerden 59.64
1000m
1 Kelly Holmes (Britain) 2:43.69
2 Agnes Samaria (Namibia) 2:44.75
3 Dorette Harmse 3.45.15
Long Jump
1 Berylia Larame (Seychelles) 5.87,
2 Ria Fourie 5.81
3 Delia Visser 5.75
High Jump
1 Hestrie Cloete 1.90m
2 Marizca Gertenbach 1.90m
3 Nicolize Steyn 1.80m
Pole Vault
1 Paula Hamackova (Czech Republic) 4.20
2 Elmarie Gerryts 4.10
3 Marna Jacobs 3.80
Javelin
1 Kirsi Ahonen (Finland) 53.81
2 Lindy Levean (Seychelles) 52.27
3 Marna Dippenaar 45.55
Discus
1 Valetina Ivanova (Russia) 62.04
2 Elizna Naude 56.50
3 Lizette Schoeman 46.64
