Port Elizabeth, South Africa - Confident wins by South Africans Henrick Ramaala, Alexander Motone, and Burkina Faso’s Olivier Sanon were the highlights of the ABSA series meeting last night (28 Feb).  

Staged at the University of Port Elizabeth, the meeting lived up to its reputation that - barring strong winds – it’s a venue for good middle and long distance running. Over a dozen athletes in the men’s 3000m steeplechase, women’s 1500m and 5000m set personal bests.

Tanzania’s Patrick Nyangero and Ian Syster (South Africa) took turns setting the pace in the first half of the 10,000m. Though they completed the race, Nyangero dropped back after 6000m, while Syster persisted until 7200m, before Shadrack Hoff (South Africa) stepped up the pace with Ramaala at his shoulder.

With less than 500m to the finish Ramaala made his move, taking the lead and battling to hold back Hoff. Ramaala won the race in 27:43.07, his fastest time in two years. Hoff was second in 27:44.33, a mere 0.44 seconds off his career best, set at the same venue seven years ago. Both achieved the Athletics South Africa qualifier (27:50) for the World Championships in Paris later in the year. Enoch Skosana (South Africa) was a distant third in 28:39.31.
 
“I am grateful to Hoff as he kept me under pressure. Athletes are now learning that to run good times, they have to get off to a purposeful pace early in the race. That is why they ran well in the steeplechase,” said Ramaala.

“Although I had not fully recovered from the long flight after the World 10km race in Puerto Rico last week, I am glad that I have qualified for the World Championships” said Ramaala who also retained the men’s title in Puerto Rico.

While Haff confirmed: “My goal is to compete in the Marathon at the World Championships. However, I am leaving my options open just in case I do not qualify at an international marathon next month.” 

Earlier on, a crop of young talented South Africans made their mark in the 3000m steeplechase. In a thrilling sprint for the finish line, Alexander Motone (8:29:39) outpaced debutant Sivuyile Dlongwana (8:29.54), to carry the day. Third placed Antony Godongwana (8:42.86), Mandla Maseko (8:43.26), Danny Nkwanyana (8:47.32), and Alfonso Primo (8:49.93) all set personal bests.

Not only did Motone improve his personal best by over eight seconds, but also produced South Africa’s tenth fastest time ever in the event. “I believe the qualifying time for the World Championships (8:20) is within reach. Who knows perhaps the national record 8:19 could also fall this year,” said Motone.
 
In another dramatic finish Marlene Breytenbach (4:11.73) edged Rene Kalmer (4:11.79) to win the women’s 1500m. Breytenbach bettered her career best from 4:16.19. Finishing third was Chantal Breets, whose time of 4:17.00 is a personal best.

The top four in the 5000m, recorded personal bests. These were Tannith Maxwell (16:27.77),2 Bulelwa Mtshagi (16:36.94), 3 Lebogang Phalula (16:44.23), 4 Promise Mathonsi (16: 51:45).

Elsewhere, the men’s Triple Jump produced a duel between the reigning African Triple Jump champion Olivier Sanon (Burkina Faso) and Togo’s Didier Tchalla. Sanon prevailed with a 16.68 leap to Tchalla’s 16.18.

“This is my first competition this year. I hope this and next week’s contest in eThekwini will put me in good shape for the international meetings next month in Dakar (Senegal), Bamako (Mali) and Yaounde (Cameroon). Besides excelling at the World Championships, I want to prove I am the best in Africa at the All Africa Games in Abuja in October,” Sanon revealed.

Tchalla declared: “After finishing fourth at the Africa Championships in Tunis last year, I feel I can break into the medal bracket in Abuja.”

Olympics finalist Heide Seyerling-Quinn won the women’s 400 metres in 52.27. While the fast finishing Senegalese, Fatou Bintou Fall (53.12) snatched second spot from South Africa’s Surita Febbraio (53.30).

Russia’s Valentina Ivanova (58.95) retained her unbeaten run in the Discus. However South Africa Elizna Naude (57.09),appears to be closing the gap.

Sherwin Vries (South Africa) pulled out a double in 100m (10.50) and 200m (20.68). Returning to competition after two years of injury the South Africa’s former world junior 200m champion Paul Gorries won the 400m in 46.05.

Mark Ouma for the IAAF

SELECTED RESULTS
Note: All Athletes are South Africans unless otherwise mentioned SR denotes series record NR denotes national record AR denotes Africa record PB denotes personals best

MEN

100m (-1.1)
1 Sherwin Vries10.40
2 Clinton Venter10.50
3 Mathew Quinn10.57

200m (-0.2)
1 Sherwin Vries 20.68
2 Clinton Venter 20.81
3 Marcus la Grange 21.07

400m
1 Paul Gorries 46.03
2 Jopie van Oudtshoorn 46.67
3 Shaine Morrison 47.09

800m
1 Johan Pretorius 1:48.27
2 Juan Van Deventer 1:48.98
3 James Nolan  (Ireland) 1:49.14

3000m Steeplechase
1 Alexander Motone 8:29.39 PB
2  Sivuyile Dlongwana 8:29.54 PB
3 Antony Godongwana 8:42.86 PB
4 Mandla Maseko 8:43.26 PB
5 Danny Nkwanyana 8:47:32 PB
6 Alfonso Primo 8:49.93 PB

10000m
1 Hendrick Ramaala 27:43.07
2 Shadrack Hoff 27:44.33
3 Enock Skosana 28:39.31

Triple Jump
1 Olivier Sanon (Burkina Faso) 16.68
2 Didier Tchalla (Togo) 16.18
3 Kobus Vosloo 14.59

Javelin
1 Hardus Pienaar 76.60
2 Frans Human 72.59
3 Willie Human 72.29

Hammer
1 Werner Skit 66.93
2 Riaan Smit 66.69
3 Charlie Koen 49.15

WOMEN

100m (-2.1)
1 Janice Joseph 11.52
2 Wendy Seegers 11.77
3 Delphine Atangana (Cameroon) 11.79

400m
1 Heide Seyerling-Quinn 52.27
2 Fatou Bintou Fall (Senegal) 53.12
3  Surita Febbraio 53.30

1500m
1 Marlene Breytenbach 4:11.73 PB
2 Rene Kalmer 4:11.79
3 Chantal Breets 4:17.00 PB

5000m
1 Tannith Maxwell 16:27.77 PB
2 Bulelwa Mtshagi 16:36.94 PB
3 Lebogang Phalula 16:44.23 PB
4 Promise Mathonsi  16: 51:45 PB

Pole Vault
1 Annalie van Wyk 3.80
2 Samatha Dodd 3.60
3 Eva Thornton 3.40

Discus
1 Valentina Ivanova (Russia) 58.95
2 Elizna Naude 57.09
3 Neelam Singh (India) 54.24