Comfortable victory for Mbulaeni Mulaudzi in his first 800m outing of the season (© Mark Ouma)
South Africa’s World 800m champion Mbualeni Mulaudzi and his compatriots Cornel Fredericks and Ofentse Mogawane stole the limelight at the Yellow Pages meeting in Ekurhuleni, South Africa on Wednesday (6).
This was last a series of six track and field meets started on 19 February, with the senior national championships squeezed into this tight competition schedule. A total of 16 South African attained the stringent Commonwealth A standard qualifier during the series.
As season progresses, Mulaudzi taking nothing for granted
The 400m specialist-turned-pacesetter Sibusiso Sishi took the athletes through the first 500m in 62 seconds before bailing out at which point Mulaudzi took the lead. He powered his way on to win in 1:45.41. Botswana’s Onalenna Baloi (1:47.54) was a distant second.
Mulaudzi has qualified for the Africa Senior Championships in Nairobi Kenya and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi India in July and October respectively. Nonetheless, he is not taking matters for granted.
“It is going to be a tough battle making the Africa team in Nairobi for the Continental Cup in (Split) Croatia. Running fast times at a meets is not the same thing as when you face your tough rivals at an important championships like the one coming up in Nairobi,” Mulaudzi said.
“Competing against Wilfred Bungei (Olympic champion), David Rudisha (Africa record holder) and Alfred Kirwa Yego (former World champion) who will be at home will be a tough prospect. Sudan’s Abukakar Kaki (World Indoor champion) and the inform Moroccan pair of Amine Laalou and Abedlaati Iguider makes the situation all the more complicated,” Mulaudzi explained.
“Then one has can expect a few surprises from little know newcomers,” Mulaudzi continued. “So it is going to be a real tough battle making the top two in Nairobi. I have been down this road before and will prepare well for it. It is my dream to represent Africa in Croatia and I will work hard to make that a reality,” Mulaudzi assures.
Fredericks’ momentum continues
Twenty-year-old Cornel Fredericks announced his arrival on the world stage among senior athletes with a career best of 49.12 seconds in the 400m Hurdles. He improved on the 49.70 he clocked en route to winning the national title in his first year as a senior athlete just over a fortnight ago. Such was the intensity of the race that runner-up and 2003 World Youth silver medallist Wouter le Roux (49.83) ran his fastest time since 2005.
“Usually I am a bit conservative at the start, but this time I was more aggressive and by the fifth hurdle I knew today’s race would be special. At least with this time I stand a chance of getting invited to run against the big boys at major meets. I look forwards to facing the best in the world,” said Fredericks.
His delighted coach Mari Smith was elated and had more to say. “This year Fredericks is not studying but concentrating on making a name on the international stage. Our purpose tonight was to make a statement. Fredericks is hungry for success, but is very down to earth. In this frame of mind I expect him to run faster this year.”
Elsewhere...
Cheered on by a local partisan crowd Ofentse Mogawane covered the 400m in 45.51. The crowd played a significant role in his brave effort to keep at bay the resilient Sakaria Kamberuka of Botswana who achieved a lifetime best of 45.71.
“After gusty winds played havoc to my plan to qualify in Stellenbosch last week, my coach (Eugenie Thipe) and I resolved that we would go all out tonight and make things happen. I am proud to have won my event at all six meets in the Yellow Pages series and the senior national championships. Now I want to face the best on the rest of the continent at the IAAF Challenge Meet in Dakar Senegal on 24 April,” Mogawane declared.
Other notable performances came from Africa and Commonwealth Champion Sunette Viljoen, a clear winner in the women’s javelin in 61.59m, while Africa champion Chris Harmse prevailed in the Hammer Throw with a 75.35 m effort. Another South African Simon Magakwe pulled a sprints double of 10.26 seconds in 100m before a career best of 20.68 in 200m.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
Click here for full results
This was last a series of six track and field meets started on 19 February, with the senior national championships squeezed into this tight competition schedule. A total of 16 South African attained the stringent Commonwealth A standard qualifier during the series.
As season progresses, Mulaudzi taking nothing for granted
The 400m specialist-turned-pacesetter Sibusiso Sishi took the athletes through the first 500m in 62 seconds before bailing out at which point Mulaudzi took the lead. He powered his way on to win in 1:45.41. Botswana’s Onalenna Baloi (1:47.54) was a distant second.
Mulaudzi has qualified for the Africa Senior Championships in Nairobi Kenya and the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi India in July and October respectively. Nonetheless, he is not taking matters for granted.
“It is going to be a tough battle making the Africa team in Nairobi for the Continental Cup in (Split) Croatia. Running fast times at a meets is not the same thing as when you face your tough rivals at an important championships like the one coming up in Nairobi,” Mulaudzi said.
“Competing against Wilfred Bungei (Olympic champion), David Rudisha (Africa record holder) and Alfred Kirwa Yego (former World champion) who will be at home will be a tough prospect. Sudan’s Abukakar Kaki (World Indoor champion) and the inform Moroccan pair of Amine Laalou and Abedlaati Iguider makes the situation all the more complicated,” Mulaudzi explained.
“Then one has can expect a few surprises from little know newcomers,” Mulaudzi continued. “So it is going to be a real tough battle making the top two in Nairobi. I have been down this road before and will prepare well for it. It is my dream to represent Africa in Croatia and I will work hard to make that a reality,” Mulaudzi assures.
Fredericks’ momentum continues
Twenty-year-old Cornel Fredericks announced his arrival on the world stage among senior athletes with a career best of 49.12 seconds in the 400m Hurdles. He improved on the 49.70 he clocked en route to winning the national title in his first year as a senior athlete just over a fortnight ago. Such was the intensity of the race that runner-up and 2003 World Youth silver medallist Wouter le Roux (49.83) ran his fastest time since 2005.
“Usually I am a bit conservative at the start, but this time I was more aggressive and by the fifth hurdle I knew today’s race would be special. At least with this time I stand a chance of getting invited to run against the big boys at major meets. I look forwards to facing the best in the world,” said Fredericks.
His delighted coach Mari Smith was elated and had more to say. “This year Fredericks is not studying but concentrating on making a name on the international stage. Our purpose tonight was to make a statement. Fredericks is hungry for success, but is very down to earth. In this frame of mind I expect him to run faster this year.”
Elsewhere...
Cheered on by a local partisan crowd Ofentse Mogawane covered the 400m in 45.51. The crowd played a significant role in his brave effort to keep at bay the resilient Sakaria Kamberuka of Botswana who achieved a lifetime best of 45.71.
“After gusty winds played havoc to my plan to qualify in Stellenbosch last week, my coach (Eugenie Thipe) and I resolved that we would go all out tonight and make things happen. I am proud to have won my event at all six meets in the Yellow Pages series and the senior national championships. Now I want to face the best on the rest of the continent at the IAAF Challenge Meet in Dakar Senegal on 24 April,” Mogawane declared.
Other notable performances came from Africa and Commonwealth Champion Sunette Viljoen, a clear winner in the women’s javelin in 61.59m, while Africa champion Chris Harmse prevailed in the Hammer Throw with a 75.35 m effort. Another South African Simon Magakwe pulled a sprints double of 10.26 seconds in 100m before a career best of 20.68 in 200m.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
Click here for full results
