With just 23 days to go before the World Athletics Championships in Tokyo, South Africa’s athletes – alongside their international counterparts – are fine-tuning their preparations during the peak of the European summer season and Diamond League series.
Regardless of which names eventually make the final World Championships squad, one thing is clear: South African athletics has enjoyed an encouraging presence on the global calander in recent months. No fewer than 28 of the country’s top athletes have featured in high-level competitions across Europe, additionally several who recently shone at the World University Games. Medal winners such as Lythe Pillay, Bayanda Walaza, Aiden Smith, Jana van Schalkwyk and Colette Uys have carried their strong form into the professional circuit.
Among those representing South Africa on the European stage in the past 60 days are big names like Akani Simbine, Wayde van Niekerk, Prudence Sekgodiso, Marione Fourie, Benjamin Richardson, Jo-Ane du Plessis, Zenéy van der Walt, Rogail Joseph, Shaun Maswanganyi, Kyle Blignaut, Mondray Barnard and many more. Their collective effort is a powerful statement about the depth and competitiveness of South African athletics that we have seen come through the ranks recently.
Battling the Elements on a Wet European Night
At the Athletissima Lausanne event last night in Switzerland – held in torrential conditions that turned the long jump pit into something resembling a swimming pool – three South Africans braved both the weather and world-class opposition.
- Akani Simbine claimed fourth in the men’s 100m with a time of 10.05 seconds. Having opened 2025 with five sub-10 second performances in his first six races, Simbine has struggled to dip under the barrier in his last four outings. Still, his pedigree and experience suggest he will be ready to deliver when the World Championships begin.
- Prudence Sekgodiso produced yet another sub-1:59 effort in the women’s 800m, finishing sixth in a blistering race set up by a 56-second first lap courtesy of the pacemaker. Olympic champion Keely Hodgkinson surged to the front, with Sekgodiso pushing hard until the final 200m before easing slightly to the line. Her consistency this season places her firmly among the athletes to watch in Tokyo.
- Jo-Ane du Plessis delivered one of the standout South African performances of the evening, securing second place in the javelin with a best throw of 58.89m. Considering the heavy downpour, her effort provided a welcome confidence boost ahead of the championships.
Final Preparations for Tokyo
The Diamond League series concludes with its final in Eugene on 27–28 August, serving as the last major test before the athletics world converges on Tokyo. For South Africa, these meets are not only about results but also about timing – ensuring peak performance arrives when it matters most.
With a blend of experienced campaigners and rising stars, Team South Africa will head to Tokyo carrying momentum, depth, and genuine medal prospects. The coming weeks will reveal who times their run to perfection and joins the world’s best on athletics’ biggest stage.
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