Athletics South Africa (ASA) concluded its highly anticipated Grand Prix series on a high note, with the second leg of the competition taking place at the University of Johannesburg Stadium. This followed an electrifying first event held at Pilditch Stadium in Tshwane, setting the stage for what has been a remarkable showcase of South Africa athletic excellence.
Both events not only brought together some of the continent’s finest athletes but also delivered standout performances, including South African records and world-leading times. With the spotlight now shifting to the World Indoor Championships this coming weekend, where four of South Africa’s finest—Akani Simbine (60m sprint), Cheswill Johnson (long jump), Chris van Niekerk (shot put), and Prudence Sekgodiso (800m)—are set to compete, the nation’s athletic momentum continues to build. While Marione Fourie was initially set to participate in the 60m hurdles, she has since withdrawn.
Looking back on the two ASA Grand Prix events, several South African athletes produced breathtaking performances, reinforcing the country’s growing prominence on the global stage.
Grand Prix 1: Record-Breaking Performances in Tshwane
The first leg of the ASA Grand Prix was a spectacle of world-class talent, with numerous record-breaking performances and inspiring displays of athletic prowess.
Leandri Holtzhausen set the tone for the evening by shattering her own South African record in the women’s hammer throw with a mighty heave of 67.95m. This improvement of more than a metre over her previous national record highlights her immense potential, as she confidently stated, “I definitely feel I can go close to 70 metres. My training has been going well, and I feel it’s just a matter of time.”
The South African women’s 4x400m relay team also made history, breaking a nine-year-old national record with a time of 3:28.30. The quartet of Shirley Nekhubui, Miranda Coetzee, Marlie Viljoen, and Zeney Geldenhuys combined seamlessly to eclipse the previous mark of 3:28.49 set in 2016 by a team that included Caster Semenya.
The men’s 100m event provided one of the night’s biggest surprises, as 18-year-old Karabo Letebele stunned a world-class field to claim victory in 10.19 seconds, edging out experienced sprinter Emile Erasmus, who clocked the same time, and African record holder Ferdinand Omanyala of Kenya, who finished third in 10.22.
Other highlights included:
- Prudence Sekgodiso showcased her class in the women’s 800m, winning in 1:59.01.
- Marione Fourie stormed to victory in the women’s 100m hurdles, recording a world-leading time of 12.77 seconds.
- Aiden Smith claimed top honors in the men’s shot put with a throw of 20.73m.
- Njabulo Mbatha, a promising junior athlete, won the 400m hurdles in 49.40 seconds.
- Zinzi Xulu leaped to an impressive 13.20m in the women’s triple jump.
Reflecting on the event, ASA President James Moloi expressed his excitement: “I’m struggling to hold my excitement at the rate our athletes are breaking national records this early in the season. We are proud to congratulate them for setting new benchmarks for others to chase.”
Grand Prix 2: Sprinting Sensations and World-Leading Performances in Johannesburg
The excitement continued in Johannesburg as the second leg of the ASA Grand Prix produced more record-breaking and world-class performances.
South African sprinting prodigy Bayanda Walaza stole the show by setting a new U20 national record in the 200m, clocking an astonishing 20.08 seconds. This feat comes just days after he became the first South African U20 athlete to break the 10-second barrier in the 100m, running 9.99 in Tshwane.
In the men’s 400m, Udeme Okon, the U20 World Champion, edged South African Lythe Pillay in a dramatic finish, crossing the line in 45.27 seconds.
The men’s 110m hurdles saw a closely contested battle, with Franco Le Roux narrowly defeating Mondray Barnard with a time of 13.55 seconds. Barnard, who had won the event at Grand Prix 1, settled for second.
Further notable performances included:
- Wernich Van Rensburg, at just 20 years old, clocked a world-leading time of 49.24 seconds in the men’s 400m hurdles.
- Viwe Jingqi triumphed in the women’s 100m with a time of 11.32 seconds.
- Shirley Nekhubui stormed to victory in the women’s 200m, dipping under the 23-second mark with 22.98.
- The women’s 400m race was one of the night’s most thrilling contests, featuring three members of the national-record-breaking relay team. Zenéy Geldenhuys narrowly secured victory over Shirley Nekhubui and Marlie Viljoen, posting an impressive 51.26 seconds, with all three athletes finishing under 52 seconds.
- Marione Fourie continued her dominance in the 100m hurdles, improving her time to a World Championships qualifying 12.69 seconds.
- The reigning South African long jump champion Danielle Nolte maintained her top form with a winning leap of 6.56m.
Looking Ahead: A Promising Future for South African Athletics
With two highly successful ASA Grand Prix events now complete, 2025 has already set a new standard for South African athletics. The level of competition, the breaking of national records, and the emergence of young talent indicate that the nation is on an upward trajectory in the sport.
As Supersport, Africa’s largest sports broadcaster, continues to showcase these events, South African athletes are gaining well-deserved recognition and much need exposure on the international stage. With the World Indoor Championships looming and the ASA National Age Group Championships set to take place in Cape Town from March 27-29, the momentum is set to continue.
The stage is set for an exhilarating year of South African athletics, and fans can look forward to seeing more of their stars shine in global competitions throughout 2025.
For More South African Sports News: Sport South Africa Home Page
For More South African Athletics News: Marione Fourie Gears Up for World Indoor Championships
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