Stefan Brink wins the Shot Put in a PB of 19.93m in Maputo, Mozambique (© Mark Ouma for the IAAF)
Athletics South Africa is banking on its strength in the field events to improve on their overall performance at the 5th IAAF World Youth Championships, Ostrava, Czech Republic from 11-15 July.
The 49-strong contingent is made up of 31 boys and 18 girls.
After a strong showing at the Southern Africa Schools Games in Gaborone, Botswana in May and a dominating performance at the Southern Africa Region Youth Championships in Maputo, Mozambique earlier this month, the team is brimming with confidence ahead of their campaign in Ostrava.
Several athletes achieved their career best in Maputo with performances that will place them strong contenders for medal in Ostrava. These include shot putters Stefan Brink (19.93) and Ryno van Winkel (19.37), triple jumpers Boipelo Motlhatlhego (15.15) and Neo Marie (14.90) together with Ulrich Damon (69.95) in Javelin Throw. In the girl’s division, javelin thrower Tazman Brits (56.55) along with Linda Liebenburg (45.70) and Suriette Botha ( 43.50) in Discus Throw are also hungry for more success.
Long starved of competition budding pole vaulter Cheyne Rahme and Willem le Roux (Combined Events) can expect to draw attention in their specialities.
South Africans are expected to be quite competitive on the track. Patrick Vosloo (10.50, 21.40) is set to campaign in the sprints double. He is joined in the 200m by Dean Swart (21.18), while Maartins Heinrich (48.12) and Maruis Koekemoer (1:51.63) will be in action in the 400m and 800m respectively.
Perhaps the best medal prospects on the track are 400m hurdlers Cornel Fredricks (50.75) and Piet Beneke (50.74). Elsewhere, new find Alyssa Conley and Bevan Smith look sharp in the girls 100 and 200m.
By the end of the competition South Africans remain optimistic they will improve on their sixth place on the medal table during the last World Youth Championships in Morocco.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
The full team consists of -
BOYS
Patrick Vosloo (100m, 200m), Moeketsi Galasikwe (100m), Dean Swart (200m, 400m), Heinrich Maartins (400m), Marnus Koekemoer (800m), Xolani Mabhida (800m), Folavia Sehohle (1500m), Tibetso Masetla (1500m), Sityhilo Diko (3000m), Vuyisle Tshoba (3000m), Abednego Mamuschi (110m Hurdles), Ettiene Grobler (110m Hurdles), Piet ‘PC’ Beneke (400m Hurdles), Cornel Fredericks (400m Hurldes), Dewald Bekker (10km Walk), Willem Voigt (High Jump), Dawid Greef (High Jump), Cheyne Rahme (Pole Vault), Eben Beukes (Pole Vault), Stefan Brits (Long Jump), Boipelo Motlhatlhego (Triple Jump), Neo Marie (Triple Jump), Stephan Brink (Shot Put), Ryno van Winkel (Shot Put), Jason Smith (Discus), Micqel le Roux (Hammer), Adriaan van der Merwe (Javelin), Ulrich Damon (Javelin), Willem le Roux (Combined Events), Jerry Motsau (2000m Steeplechase), William Motshosala (2000m Steeplechase).
GIRLS
Alyssa Conley (100m, 200m), Bevan Smith (100m, 200m), Sonja van der Merwe (400m) WPA; Marisa Smith (400m), Precious Mnisi (800m), Nandi Meyer (800m), Marli Spies (100m Hurldes and 400m Hurdles), Ansuret Potgieter (100m Hurldes), Anneri Ebersohn (400m H), June Roelofse (High Jump), Celeste Rietels (Long Jump), Rozanne Oescher (Triple Jump), Elzaan Mostert (Shot Put), Lindi Liebenburg (Discus), Suriette Botha (Discus), Tazman Brits (Javelin), Leanka Steyn (Javelin), Marizette Badenhorst (Hammer).
