14.85m Triple for Aldama

 Yamile Aldama and Sherwin Vries got their seasons off to a blazing start with impressive victories at the ABSA Series track and field meeting in the Herman Immelmann Stadium on Friday 24 January 2003.

Braving the chilly, wet weather conditions, Aldama (CUB) who is seeking British citizenship, leapt to 14.85 metres to improve her career best by nine centimetres with her third attempt. After a no jump in the opening round, she had recorded 14.27m on her second jump.

Seventh at last summer's European Championships, Hrysopiyi Devetzi of Greece was runner up with a 14.01 effort. Making a comeback under a new coach, Algeria’s former Africa record holder Rahouli Baya was third with a modest jump of 13.91m.

“My first visit to Africa has been rewarding. Nonetheless, I have mixed feeling about tonight’s breakthrough," said Aldama. "On the one hand, it is always encouraging to break new ground especially so early in the outdoor season.”

“However, I am a bit disappointed, as physically I do not feel very well. I experienced a twinge in my right Hamstring. This compelled me to withdraw from the competition after my third jump."

Aldama's British coach Frank Attoh who guided Ashia Hansen to fourth place at the 1996 Atlanta Olympics, painted a more optimistic picture. “Fortunately, the injury is not too serious and so we hope she will be back in action perhaps next month.”

“Aldama gave a 50-60 percent effort in her run up because of her slight injury, For her to set a career best despite such a set back is a very satisfactory result. She is a mentally strong athlete and her brave effort tonight paid off.”

“I am convinced that when she recovers from the injury she will jump well over 15 metres. She has the potential to break Hansen’s World indoor record of 15.16m. This is because she has significantly improved her speed in the run up to her jumping sequence,” Attoh explained.

Fresh from securing his South African citizenship, Sherwin Vries stamped his authority in the 100m and 200m. He equalled the meet record with a winning time of 10.25, before cruising to a 20.68 victory in the 200m.

“After the weather suddenly changed from a bright sunny, to a wet chilly afternoon and evening, all I wanted tonight was an inspiring start to the season. To that extent I feel I have accomplished my mission today,” said a delighted Vries.

”At this stage in the season all I am interested in is to win races. Competition fitness is my main concern right now. This is going to be a long season so, if the fast times come right now all the better, but that is not my prime interest.”

Making his presence felt once again was Hezekiel Sepeng (South Africa), setting a 1000m meeting record with a winning time of 2:20.50. The previous record stood at 2:21.56. Overshadowed in the past two years by the exploits of the Commonwealth 800m champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, Sepeng dispelled suggestions that he is on the verge of retiring.

“Those who say such things do not understand athletics. Take a look at the age of those athletes winning gold medals at major events and you will see I am not over the hill as some people suggest,” Sepeng explained.

“All I am doing now is geared towards the Athens Olympics. In fact I also intend to be around for the 2008 Olympics in Beijing. I am determined to win a gold medal,” said the 1996 Olympics 800m silver medallist.

South Africa’s Commonwealth champion Shaun Bownes outclassed his opponents to win the 110m hurdles in 13.64. The up and coming Justine Robbeson pulled off a double, winning the women’s 100m hurdles in 13.95 and the long jump with a 6.13m effort. While Africa record holder Sunette Viljoen, comfortably won the women’s javelin with a throw of 52.68m

Mark Ouma for the IAAF

Selected Results -
Note
SR denotes series record
MR denotes meet record
NR denotes national record
AR denotes Africa record
PB denotes personals best
All Athletes are South African unless otherwise mentioned

MEN
100m (+1.0)
1 Sherwin Vries 10.25 MR
2 Morne Nagel 10.37
3 Clinton Venter 10.39

100m B (+1.0)
1 Jean du Randt 10.78
2 Redeane Yocef (Algeria) 10.98

200m (+1.0)
1 Sherwin Vries 20.67
2 Clinton Venter 20.78
3 Marcus la Grange 20.86

200m B (+2.4)
1 Jean du Randt 21.51

400m
1 Jopie van Oudtshoorne 46.71,
2 Arnaud Malherbe 48.25,
3 Tshepo Thobelangope 48.35

400m B
1 Najmeldin Ali Bakiker (Sudan) 47.77
2 Willem Cruywagen 48.99
3 Josef  van der Linde 49.09

110m Hurdles ((+1.0)
1 Shaun Bownes 13.64
2 Francois Potgieter 14.16
3 Martin de Bruto 14.18

400m Hurdles
1 Ockert Cillers 50.33
2 Louis van Zyl 50.84
3 Hennie Botha 51.03

1000m
1 Hezekiel Sepeng 2:20.50 MR
2 Isaiah Nkuna 2:21.14
3 James Mcllroy 2:21.66

3000m
1 Hendrick Ramalla 8: 13.63
2 Aaron Gabonewe 8:14.17
3 Vincent Kutoane 8:16.01

Long Jump
1 Yaw Fosu-Amoah 7.50 (+2.3)
2 Nico Grimbeek 7.46 (+2.3)
3 Martin McClintock 7.38 (+0.3) Long Jump
1 Justine Robbeson 6.12 (+1.4)

Triple Jump
1 Khotso Mokoena 16.12 (+0.7)
2 Heinrich Lourens 14.21 (0.0)
3 Antoine Borbe  (Seychelles)14.06 (-0.1)

Pole Vault
1 Lauren Looije (Holland) 5.20
2 Fanie Jacobs  5.20
3 Francois Potgieter 4.80

Discus
1 Johannes van Wyk 55.78
2 Selwyn Beauchamp (Seychelles) 39.80
3 Pieter van Heerden 39.39

Shot Put
1 John Sullivan 17.82
2 Roelie Potgieter 17.56
3 Cor Booysen 16.15

WOMEN
100m (+0.2)
1 Janice Josephs 11.57
2 Estie Wittstock 11.67
3 Wendy Seegers 11.69

100m B (+0.1)
1 Ilania Kruger 12.43

200m(+2.0)
1 Heide Syerling-Quinn 23.32
2 Leanie Hall 23.33
3 Janice Josephs 23.62

200m B (+1.2)
1 Jennifer Modibe 24.69

400m
1 Melodi van der Merwe 54.78
2 Florence Ekpo-Umoh (Germany) 54.99
3 Marna Constanza 55.32

110m Hurdles (+0.1)
1 Justine Robbeson 13.95
2 Liesel Raubenheimer 14.23
3 Sune Labushagne 14.24

1000m
1 Marlene Breytenbach 2:48.78
2 Rene Kalmer 2:48.95
3 Mari-Louis Henning 2:49.69

3000m
1 Poppy Mlambo 9:34.04
2 Maria Lynch (Ireland) 9:35.47
3 Lebogang Phalula 9:40.55

Long Jump
1 Justine Robbeson 6.12 (+1.4)
2 Karen Mey 6.01 (+1.1) 
3 Ria Humphries 5.99 (+1.4)

Triple Jump
1 Yamile Aldama (Cuba) 14.85 (+0.9) PB/ SR
2 Hrysopiyi Devetzi (Greece) 14.01 (+0.6)
3 Rahouli Baya (Algeria) 13.91 (+0.3)

Javelin
1 Sunette Viljoen 52.68
2 Maryke le Roux 47.90
3 Mona Jonker 45.58

Shot Put
1 Veronica Abrahamse 16.95
2 Maranelle du Toit 16.94
3 Simone du Toit 13.15