Mpho Tladi winning the 110m hurdles at the 2015 African Youth Championships (© Clyde Koa Wing)
World youth leader Mpho Tladi will hope to bring the 110m hurdles title back to South Africa, a feat first accomplished by countryman Andreis van der Merwe four years ago in Lille.
On that occasion, van der Merwe ran 13.41 to take gold, and Tladi – who has clocked 13.44 at altitude this year – looks capable of a similar performance in the rarified air of Cali, having warmed up for these championships with three races in Ireland in recent weeks.
Tladi’s South African team-mate Gianni Lombaard – who joins him at the top of the world youth list with 13.44 – has opted for the 400m hurdles so his main opposition in Cali could come from Switzerland’s Sales Junior Inglin, who has run 13.56 this year.
The South American challenge is led by Brazil’s Heitor Coelho. The 17-year-old took 0.3 off his personal best when running 13.58 in Sao Paulo in May and it will come as no surprise if he continues to improve and makes the podium in Cali.
In the eight editions of the IAAF World Youth Championships to date, the USA has won this title on four occasions and they hold a strong chance of making it five this week.
Their challenge will be led by Isaiah Lucas, who ran a personal best of 13.59 to win the US youth title a fortnight ago. Just behind him that day, running 13.64, was Norman Grimes, who is also a potential medal contender.
Tavonte Mott from The Bahamas, who has run 13.61 this year, is another athlete likely to be in the mix when the medals are decided on Friday (17).
Cathal Dennahy for the IAAF
