THIS REPORT COURTESY OF THE IAAF WEBSITE WHERE IT APPEARED FIRST
Cilliers and Myburgh show fine hurdling form - South African Championships and Olympic Trials
Sunday 18 April 2004
eThewini, South Africa - Ockert Cilliers, Janice Josephs, and Leigh Julius confirmed they are among South Africa’s best hopes for Olympic glory with their sparkling performances at the ABSA South Africa Senior Track and Field Championships in Kings Park Stadium on Saturday (17 April).
The two-day championship (16/17 April) doubled up as the Olympic Trials. The top two in each event have booked their place on the provisional team to Athens, provided they have achieved the qualifiers in their event.
Ockert Cilliers (RSA)
(Mark Ouma)
Cilliers is supreme
Ockert Cilliers surged to the lead in the 400m Hurdles from the sixth hurdle, and held off a resilient challenge from Alwyn Myburgh to win the race. Cilliers clocked 48.23 to Myburgh’s 48.65. Marnus Krtizinger, winner of the event at the 1999 World Youth Championships was third in a season best of 49.14. While Olympic bronze medallist Llewellyn Herbert failed to finish the race.
“This is the most important moment of my career. Since I have the fastest time in the country there was pressure on me. My goal at the Olympics is to run a sub 48 seconds,” said a delighted Cilliers.
Like Cilliers, Myburgh does not plan to run more than four races prior to Athens. Both athletes have set a similar target, “I am sure this year I will break the 48 seconds barrier,” said Myburgh. His career best of 48.09 enabled him clinch the gold medal at the 2001 World Student Games.
Leigh Julius wins the 200m at the South African Championships
(Mark Ouma)
Julius’ double
Leigh Julius completed a week of success on a high when he won both the 100m (10.40) and 200m (20.44). What’s more he not only improved his career best in the 200m from 20.49, but was also inside the Olympic A qualifying mark. Last weekend Julius won both sprints at the Nationals Junior Championships.
“What makes me happy is that I have achieved the 200m qualifier for Athens. I can now go back and study while I prepare for the World Juniors. This could be a very exciting year in Athens,” said Julius. He is the World Student Games 200m champion.
Janice Josephs completes Heptathlon national record - 6127pts
(Mark Ouma)
National record for Josephs
Janice Josephs’ decision not to enter the women’s sprints, paid off as she set a new national record in the Heptathlon. Josephs amassed 6127 points to better the old record of 6019 set by Maralize Fouche four years ago. Josephs’ previous best was 5740. “It is a huge morale boost to qualify for the Olympics in my first heptathlon in two years. My goal is to improve this mark at the Olympics,” Josephs disclosed.
A burst of energy in the last 250 metres saw Reuben Ramolefi (8:26.24) win a thrilling men’s 3000m steeplechase. He edged veteran Petrus Sithole (8:27.02) into second place. While newcomer Emmanuel Mkabela (8:28.29) set a career best to take the bronze medal. Sivuyile Dlongwana (8:31.19) and Anthony Godongwana (8:31.85) also finished inside the Olympic B qualifying standard.
“We have run inside the Olympic B standard three times this year and are confident we can do better. What we know need is for Athletics South Africa to help us get to some meet outside the country where the level of competition will see us achieved the Olympic A qualifier,” says Petrus Sithole.
World Champion Hestrie Cloete (1.95) had little trouble win the high jump. While Shaun Bownes won the 110 hurdles, an event he first won at these championships ten years ago.
Surita Febbraio (55.52) also booked her place on the provisional Olympic team with a superb 55.52 in the women’s 400m Hurdles.
Olympic finalists Heide Seyerling won 400m (51.77) and 200m (23.06). “I will focus on the 400m for Athens as that is my stronger event, while the 200m metres will help me build speed.”
Geraldine Pillay who clocked 11.39 in 100 and 23.11 in 200 metres hopes to compete in both events in Athens.
Sepeng beats Mulaudzi in photo-finish
Hezekiel Sepeng sent out a signal that he will be a serious medal contender in Athens when he emerged victorious in their tactical duel with World Indoor Champions Mbulaeni Mulaudzi. Sepeng clocked 1:46.76, while Mulaudzi was timed 1:46.79 in their photo finish.
“I will only run four more races prior to Athens. I want to have fresh legs when we go to the Olympics. Mulaudzi and I are friends and we will be comparing notes as we prepare for the Olympics,” Sepeng revealed.
“Tactically we did not run well because we left everything to the last 100m. That is why the time was slow. I am sure we will be in good form in Athens,” said Mulaudzi.
Thys is confident
Marathon runner Gert Thys (28:48.86) won the 10,000m. “This marks the beginning of my build up to the Olympics. After my performance at the recent Seoul marathon, I am confident that in Athens I will atone for my disappointment in the Atlanta Olympics,” says Thys.
His training partner Frank Lekhwi (22) won the 5000m in 13:53.07. This is a remarkable achievement for one who had only begun athletics this year.
SELECTED RESULTS
OLY A denotes qualified for the Athens Olympics A Standard
OLY B denotes qualified for the Athens Olympics B Standard
WJC denotes qualified for the World Junior Championships
NJR denoted National Junior record
PB denotes Personal best
MEN
100m (-0.4)
1 Leigh Julius 10.40
2 Leeroy Newton 10.48
3 Deon du Toit 10.53
200m (+0.3)
1 Leigh Julius 20.44 PB/ WJC/OLY A
2 Morne Nagel 20.62 OLY B
3 Sergio Mullins 20.98
400m
1 Marcus la Grange 45.82 OLY B
2 Paul Gorris 46.51
3 Hendrik Moganyetsi 46.70
110m Hurdles (+1.3)
1 Shaun Bownes 13.52 OLY A
2 Frikkie van Zyl 14.10
3 Gustav Kukkuk 14.12
400m Hurdles
1 Ockert Cilliers 48.23 OLY A
2 Alwyn Myburgh 48.65 OLY A
3 Marnus Kritzinger 49.14 OLY A
4 Louis van Zyl 49.71 WJC
5 Wouter le Roux 49.96 WJC
800m
1 Hezekiel Sepeng 1:46.76 OLY B
2 Mbulaeni Mulaudzi 1:46.79 OLY B
3 Johnny Shuping 1:47.09
1500m
1 Johan Cronje 3:42.97
2 Clyde Colenso 3:44.81
3 Johan Pretorius 3:46.39
3000m Steeplechase
1 Reuben Ramolefi 8:26.24 OLY B
2 Petrus Sithole 8:27.02 OLY B
3 Emmanuel Mkabela 8:28.29 PB/OLY B
4 Sivuyile Dlongwana 8:31.19 OLY B
5 Antony Godongwana 8:31.85 OLY B
6 Mandla Maseko 8:55.22 WJC
7 Stephen Mokoka PB/ 8:56.48
8 Lucas Jani PB/8:59.12
5000m
1 Frank Lekhwi 13:53.07
2 Coolboy Ngamole 13:54.11
3 Sivuyile Dlongwana 13:55.93
10,000m
1 Gert Thys 28:48.86
2 Coolboy Ngamole 28:52.49
3 Whitey Modibe 29:29.51
20 km Race Walk
1 Marc Mundell 1:33:42.58 PB
2 Thami Hlatswayo 1:35:21.68
3 Ihan Collins 1:38:57.47
Long Jump
1 Martin McClintock 7.90 (+1.1)
2 Nico Grimbeeck 7.68 (+0.8)
3 Tiaan Pretorius 7.43 (+0.9)
Triple Jump
1 Khotso Mokoena 16.40 (-0.1)
2 Heinrich Lourens 15.68 (-0.3)
3 Simeon Mars 15.55 (+0.2)
High Jump
1 Ramsay Carelse 2.20
2 Raymon Fletcher 2.15
3 Malcolm Hendricks 2.15
Pole Vault
1 Okkert Brits 5.40
2 Fanie Jacobs 5.10
3 Johan du Plessis 4.70
Javelin
1 Hardus Piennar 81.03 OLY B
2 Gerbrand Grobler 74.63
3 Willie Human 73.25
Discus
1 Frantz Kruger 62.72 OLY B
2 Chris Harmse 54.07
3 Stefan Joubert 49.45
Shot Put
1 Janus Robberts 20.15 OLY B
2 Burger Lambrechts 18.58
3 Rolie Potgieter 18.34
Hammer
1 Chris Harmse 78.56 OLY B
2 Werner Smit 70.88
3 Rudolph Venter 63.85
Decathlon
1 Jannie Botha 6697 points
2 Sors Joubert 6467 points
3 Francois Potgieter 6181 points
4x100m Relay
1 KwaZulu-Natal 40.23
2 Gauteng North 40.85
3 Western Province 41.29
4x400m Relay
1 South Africa A 3:05.96
2 Gauteng North B 3:06.66
3 Gauteng North A 3:07.33
WOMEN
100m (-0.8)
1 Geraldine Pillay 11.39 OLY B
2 Wendy Seegers 11.57
3 Dikeledi Moropane 11.73
200m (0.0)
1 Heide Seyerling-Quinn 23.05 OLY B
2 Geraline Pillay 23.11 OLY B
3 Este Wittstock 23.38
400m
1 Heide Seyerling-Quinn 51.77 OLY B
2 Este Wittstock 52.16 OLY B
3 Adri Schoeman 52.44
110m Hurdles (+0.9)
1 Sune Labuschagne 13.98
2 Carla Fick 14.37
3 Christine Ras 14.46
400m Hurdles
1 Surita Febbraio 55.52 OLY A
2 Juanee Pekelharing 58.43
3 Kerryn Hulsen 58.88
800m
1 Mari-Louise henning 2:03.76
2 Lisa van der Merwe 2:05:37
3 Jelome Muller 2:05.95
1500m
1 Rene Kalmer 4:17.37
2 Lisa van de Merwe 4:20.17
3 Lebo Phaluhla 4:21.06
3000m Steeplechase
1 Tebogo Masehla 10:24.20 PB
2 Masello Moekoa 10:35.17 PB
3 Myrette Filmater 10:50.78
5000m
1 Rene Kalmer 16:17.32
2 Poppy Mlambo 16:20.
3 Desire Kruger 16:26.62
10,000m
1 Poppy Mlambo 34:22.80 PB
2 Irvette van Blerk 34:34: 73 PB
3 Takalani Nthulane 35:17.20 PB
20 km Race Walk
1 Nicoleen Cronje 1:36:18.22 OLY B
2 Estle Viljoen 1:45:12.10
3 Natalie Fourie 1:53:37.10
Long Jump
1 Karin Mey 6.16 (+2.1)
2 Delia Visser 6.13 (+0.6)
3 Daniele Olivier 5.79 (+1.9)
Triple Jump
1 Moira Steyn 12.22 (+0.3)
2 Mariana Banting 12.20 (+1.3)
3 Charelene Banting 12.10 (+1.7)
High Jump
1 Hestrie Cloete 1.95 OLY A
2 Diane Wondergem 1.80
3 Anika Smit 1.80
Pole Vault
1 Samantha Dodd 3.90
2 Annelie van Wyk 3.80
3 Ida-Marie Ehler 3.80
Javelin
1 Sunette Vijoen 59.23 OLY B
2 Eliza Labuschagne 46.25
3 Linda Smit 42.96
Discus
1 Elizna Naude 58.65 OLY A
2 Marli Knoetze 49.95
3 Mariska van Zyl 48.20
Shot Put
1 Maranelle du Toit 16.67
2 Veronica Abrahamse 16.15
3 Somione du Toit 15.11
Hammer
1 Lizel Roelofse 51.45
2 Tanya Treurnicht 47.41
3 Marlize Coetzee 47.02
Heptathlon
1 Janice Josephs 6127 points PB/ SAR/OLY A
2 Justin Robbeson 5721 points WJC
3 Valmare Louw 4610 points
4x100m Relay
1 South Africa 44.71
2 Western Province 46.91
3 Central Gauteng 47.47
4x400m Relay
1 Gauteng North 3:41.30
2 Central Gauteng 3:42.45
3 Central North West 3:42.73
Mark Ouma for the IAAF