Robberts, van Zyl overcome windy conditions in Stellenbosch
Saturday 4 February 2006
Stellenbosch, South Africa - Braving windy conditions Janus Robberts and Louis van Zyl posted impressive performances at the Athletics South Africa Track and Field Challenge Meet at the Coetzenburg stadium in Stellenbosch on Friday (03).
So strong were the windy conditions that certain events such as the men’s Pole Vault were cancelled. These conditions affected middle and long distance runners most as they ran against a chilly head wind on the back straight.
Continuing with his rich recent form Janus Robberts heaved the Shot Put 20.17m to claim a comfortable win in the men’s Shot Put. Robberts said he was not disappointed that he was almost a meter short of his 21.06m effort last week in Tshwane.
“Perhaps the wind that was blowing sideways affected my distance. Anyway this week I concentrated more on weight training rather than my throwing technique. At the National Championships next week I hope to throw over 21 meters again.”
“My focus is to win the gold medal at the Commonwealth Games,” Robberts added. “To do that I must regularly throw over 21 meters prior to the Games next month,” Robberts declared.
Elsewhere on the track 400m Hurdler Louis van Zyl posted his fastest time this year with his 48.58 win. Alwyn Myburgh (48.82), Ter de Villier (49.07), and Ockert Cilliers (49.95) all dipped under 50 seconds.
“My goal is to maintain my form and clock under 49 seconds in my event. I want to achieve this regardless of the weather conditions. I am convinced I will ran a faster time at the national championships,” said Van Zyl.
Returning to top-flight competition after a season cut short by injury, Ramsay Carelse (2.25) won the men’s High Jump in convincing style. Fosu-Amoah prevailed in the men’s Long Jump with a wind-assisted 8.05 effort.
Hannes Hopley won the men’s Discus with a throw of 62.00m, while Elizna Naude (59.83) excelled in the women’s event. Elsewhere Simone du Toit (16.77) easily won the women’s Shot Put as Geraldine Pillay prevailed in the 100m (11.75) and 200m (23.50).
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
LEADING RESULTS -
(NWR denotes no wind reading)
Note: All Athletes are South Africans unless otherwise indicated
MEN
100m (-1.2)
1Sherwin Vries 10.64
2 Hannes Dreyer 10.66
3 Corne du Plessis 10.73
200m (-0.5)
1 Jan van der Merwe 20.99
2 Leigh Julius 21.14
3 Corne du Plessis 21.37
400m
1 Robert Lathouwers (Netherlands) 47.22
2 Ofentse Mogawane 47.41
3 Hendrik Mokganyetsi 47.49
110m Hurdles (0.0)
1 Shaun Bownes 14.12
2 Frikkie van Zyl 14.16
3 Ruan de Vries 14.36
400m Hurdles
1 Louis van Zyl 48.58
2 Alwyn Myburgh 48.82
3 Ter de Villier 49.07
4 Ockert Cilliers 49.95
800m
1Charles Jantjies 1:49.45
2 Sydney Mafologela 1:51.63
3 Christo Boshoff 1:51.88
1500m
1 Mbulaeni Mulaudzi 3:44.67
2 Juan van Deventer 3:44.92
3 Issac Mboyaza 3:45.82
3000m Steeplechase
1 Reuben Ramolefi 8:41.42
2 Friedel Maans 8:55.66
3 Adam Bowen 8:55.81
5000m
1 Boy Soke 14:00.96
2 Alexander Motone 14:03.45
3 Jacob Selebalo 14:07.93
Long Jump
1 Fosu-Amoah Yaw 8.05 (+3.8)
2 Darren Ritchie (Britain) 7.76 (NWR)
3 Martin McClintock 7.69 (NWR)
High Jump
1 Ramsay Carelse 2.25
Javelin
1 Robert Oosthuizen 76.51
2 Hardus Pienaar 72.73
3 Brian Erasmus 70.48
Discus
1 Hannes Hopley 62.00
2 Rolie Potgieter 54.88
Shot Put
1 Janus Robberts 20.17
2 Hannes Hopley 19.58
WOMEN
100m (-0.8)
1 Geraldine Pillay 11.79
2 Wendy Seegers 11.85
200m (-1.4)
1Geraldine Pillay 23.50
2 Estie Wittstock 23.53
1500m
1 Marlene Breytenbach 4:16:12
2 Chanelle Olivier 4:16.87
3 Lisa van der Merwe 4:24:59
5000m
1 Lenah Lotter 16:34.76
High Jump
1 Anika Smit 1.85
Shot Put
1 Simone du Toit 16.77