Team South Africa at 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games
Team South Africa’s athletes have been vigorously competing in the first three exhilarating days of the 2023 Commonwealth Youth Games held in Trinidad and Tobago. Impressively, they have already secured a commendable number of medals. The Games encompass an impressive array of seven diverse sports, each unfolding across five distinct venues, and bringing together a grand assembly of over a thousand talented athletes.
In the overall medal tally, South Africa currently occupies a notable fourth position, reflective of their outstanding performance. Their medal count stands at five, comprising three gold and two silver medals. Notably, the gold medals have been triumphantly clinched in the domains of cycling, swimming, and athletics, showcasing the team’s multidimensional prowess.
The diversity of the Games is evident through the inclusion of seven distinct sport disciplines: cycling, athletics, beach volleyball, Fast5 netball, rugby sevens, swimming, and triathlon. Team South Africa is represented in all seven sports.
Cycling: Miles Liebenberg Secures Coveted Gold Medal
South African cyclist Miles Liebenberg emerged victorious by capturing the nation’s inaugural gold medal. The stage for this achievement was set in the Men’s Individual Time Trial, where Liebenberg’s clocked time of 19 minutes and 17.62 seconds painted the picture of his exceptional skill and determination. The podium saw Elliot Rowe from Scotland securing the second spot, while Will Heath from Australia rounded off the top three.
Liebenberg’s prowess extended further, as he gallantly faced the challenge of the men’s road race, where his relentless performance saw him claim an admirable 8th position in the overarching standings.
Turning to the women’s division, Jessie Munton displayed her mettle, clinching a commendable 5th position in the intense time trials. Displaying her tenacity once again, Munton narrowly missed a coveted spot on the podium, settling for a valiant 4th position in the women’s road race.
Triathlon: Excellence Unveiled
The realm of triathlon bore witness to a captivating display of athletic prowess, with Kadence Ribbink’s remarkable performance leaving her tantalizingly close to the podium, a mere 6 seconds shy. Her formidable showing solidified her hold on the coveted 4th position, an outcome that speaks volumes of her dedication and skill.
Meanwhile, in the men’s division, Alessandro Fanicchi etched his mark with an impressive 8th place finish, showcasing his mettle and determination on the challenging course.
The excitement is far from over, as both of these athletes are poised to re-enter the arena today for the triathlon mixed team relay.
Swimming: Triumphs at the Commonwealth Youth Games
The women’s 50m Butterfly final witnessed an awe-inspiring performance by Jessica Thompson, who clinched the gold medal for her nation. Notably, Thompson shattered the youth Commonwealth Games record with an astounding time of 26.84 seconds. Her victorious feat outshone competitors Amelia Bray and Mikayla Bird from Australia, securing her a place at the pinnacle of the podium. Thompson’s proficiency was further evident as she vied for glory in the women’s 50m backstroke, securing a commendable 4th position. In the women’s 100m Backstroke final, Thompson’s impressive skills earned her a notable 5th position, while her teammate Cassidy Burgess showcased her own mettle with a solid 7th place finish.
Simone Moll, a rising star in the South African swimming constellation, secured the silver medal in the women’s 50m breaststroke final, finishing with a swift time of 32.34 seconds. The gold was claimed by England’s Sienna Robinson, with Theodora Taylor from Wales securing the bronze. Moll’s aquatic prowess extended to the Women’s 200m Breaststroke final, where she admirably claimed the 7th spot.
The men’s division held its own triumphs, with Kris Mihaylov gallantly securing the 8th position in the fiercely contested 200m freestyle final. Kian Keylock showcased his versatile talent with a 6th position finish in the men’s 400m Individual Medley, followed by a solid 7th place in the Men’s 50m Breaststroke final. Keylock’s prowess was further underscored as he clinched an admirable 4th place in the Men’s 200m Breaststroke final.
Athletics: Gold and Silver Claimed
In the women’s shot put final, Alicia Khunou emerged victorious, claiming the esteemed gold medal. She achieved a remarkable distance of 17.97 meters, setting a new record for the Commonwealth Youth Games.
Hencu Lamberts secured the silver medal in the men’s discus throw event, achieving an impressive distance of 53.00 meters. George Wells from Australia and Denzel Phillips from Saint Lucia clinched the bronze medals in this event.
Rugby Sevens: South Africa Sets Sights on Podium Finish
In the Rugby Sevens discipline, South Africa has commenced their campaign with fervor. They opened their journey by overpowering Jamaica 63-0 in an impressive display of skill and teamwork. In their subsequent match, they continued their dominance by triumphing over Trinidad and Tobago with a resounding score of 59-0. The momentum of success carried into their third game against Canada, where they showcased their defensive prowess yet again, emerging victorious with a commanding scoreline of 38-0.
However, their triumphs encountered a hiccup in a closely contested match against Scotland, where they narrowly fell short with a final score of 17-19. As they gear up for their encounter against Fiji, widely recognized as their most formidable opponents in the group, South Africa aims to rebound from their narrow defeat against Scotland. The team remains steadfast in their quest to regain momentum and steer their campaign back on course.
South African Volleyball Duo, Cupido and Valaitham, Experience Mixed Results
Jayden Cupido and Deloshen Valaitham, the dynamic South African Volleyball team, began their journey with a challenging opening match against Australia. Unfortunately, they faced a setback, enduring a 2-0 loss against their Australian counterparts. However, the team’s resilience shone through as they swiftly recovered in their next bout, securing a convincing 2-0 victory against Saint Kitts and Nevis.
Fortunes further favored the South African pair, as they found themselves with an unexpected default win due to the withdrawal of the Gambian team. This series of results propelled Cupido and Valaitham into the quarterfinals, a stage where they are slated to face off against Team Cyprus later today.
🥈🏅 A Shining Silver Moment! 🥏
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 8, 2023
🥈 Hencu Lamberts adds to the glory of #TeamSA with a silver medal in men's discus at the Commonwealth Youth Games evening session #CommonwealthSport | #Trinbago2023 | #TeamSA | #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/6NTkwNMaMP
Silver Glory for #TeamSA! 🥈🏊♀️
— Team South Africa (@TeamSA2024) August 8, 2023
Simone Moll's exceptional performance in the 50m Breaststroke earned her the SILVER medal at the Commonwealth Youth Games, adding to TeamSA's Tally of Medals!#CommonwealthSport | #Trinbago2023 | #TeamSA | #ForMyCountry pic.twitter.com/o5o2Dz2mEw
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