2010/04/19
POLE-VAULT sensation Cheyne Rahme and hammer-throw star Annemie Smith are among the 28-member national squad named by Athletics South Africa (ASA) at the weekend in preparation for the13th IAAF World Junior Championships in Moncton, Canada, between July 19-25.
Rahme produced a career best 5.50 metres effort at the Yellow Pages SA Youth and Junior Athletics Championships in Germiston last weekend and look to clear 5.60m between now and the world junior event in order to join the shortlist for potential Commonwealth Games selection.
Outeniqua High pupil Smith – with a career best of 57.13m awaiting ratification as a national record – took the gold medal at last weekend’s national junior championships with 55.25m, her third gold medal of the season after winning the national senior and schools titles.
The squad also includes 100m hurdles star Rikenette Steenkamp (13.61 seconds this season) and Boland long jump talent Luvo Manyionga (8.05m).
ASA Administrator Ray Mali said those who had not been included in the squad would have an opportunity to reach the qualifying standard in their events during a window period in June, with those who had already qualified given a chance to fine-tune ahead of the global championships.
“To assist the athletes in their final preparation ahead of the World Junior Championships, ASA will endeavour to organise competition opportunities during the month of June,” Mali said in a statement.
“The squad announced today also forms a part of ASA’s preparation for the 2012 Olympic Games in London.”
Mali added that the final team for the World Junior Championships would be announced on June 30.
The squad is:
MEN: Waide Jooste (100m), Gideon Trotter (100m), Sean de Klerk (100m/200m), Wade van Niekerk (200m), Anaso Jobodwana (200m), Jacques de Swardt (400m, Shaun de Jager (400m), Rynhardt van Rensburg (800m), Steven Mhlongo (800m), Michael du Toit (800m), Ratlale Mokone (1500m), Kobus Moolman (110m hurdles), Hamman le Roux (400m hurdles), Shaun van Wyk (400m hurdles), Cheye Rahme (pole-vault), Ruan van Wyk (pole-vault), Luvo Manyionga (pole-vault), Stefan Brits (long jump), Dewald van Heerden (discus), Rocco van Rooyen (javelin).
WOMEN: Bevin Smith (200m), Anuschka Nice (800m), Annica Coetzee (800m), Rikenette Steenkamp (100m hurdles), Jean- Marie Senekal (400m hurdles), Linique Prinsloo (long jump), Annemie Smith (hammer), Tazmin Brits (javelin). — Sapa