By Mark Ouma
27 January 2001 - Pietersburg-Polokwane Stadium, - Pietersburg, RSA - Although they put up sparkling performances, Radek Zachoval (Czech Republic) and Shawn Bownes (South Africa) failed to enter the record books at the ABSA track and Field Series at the Pietersburg-Polokwane Stadium in South Africa.
Clearly in the form of their lives the pair fell victim to strong following winds that denied them records. Nonetheless it did not diminish their determination to take their performance to the higher level in the not too distant future.
Inspired by a career best of 20.67 second win in the 200 metres five days ago, Zachoval coasted to a comfortable victory in 20.10 seconds. The tail wind of 2.70 metres per seconds was way above the 2.0 seconds limit for a record to be ratified. Nonetheless he is increasingly looking like the man to beat in the 200 metres at the World Indoor Championships in March.
"I am a little surprised with my time. I had a slight muscle twing in my right hamstring while warming up. So l ran round the bend in a relaxed manner. As l surged in the last 80 metres, l was uncertain how my hamstring would respond. The national (Czech) record of 20.61 set in 1984 by Frantisek Brecka has stood for too long," said a beaming Zachoval.
With a wind reading of 2.70 metres, Bownes clocked 13.39 seconds in the 110 hurdles, to register an identical time to his Africa record in the event. The Potchcefstroom-based policeman was unfazed by this momentary setback.
"I am in shape to run sub 13.40 and circumstances permitting l will achieve this in Bloemfontein next Friday. Threafter l want to run a few 60 metres hurdles in the European indoor circuit. My main goal right now is to win a medal at the World Indoor Championships. I am confident that l can achieve this," said Bownes.
Olympic decathlon silver medalist Roman Sebrle (Czech Republic) won the long jump with a leap of 7.84 metres. Earlier on, he was runner up in the 110 metres hurdles in a season best of 13.87 seconds. "All these competitions are giving me an indication of where l am in training. I am no longer an obscure athlete so l have to be at my best during World Championships in Canada," said Sebrle.
European Indoor pole vault champion Paula Hamakova (Czech Republic) and Lindy Leven (Seychelles) continue to outmatch their South African opponents in the field events. Hamakova vaulted to a height of 4.40 metres, twenty centimetres higher than the Africa record holder Elmarie Gerryts who was runner Marna Jacobs was third with a clearance of 3.60. Leven’s winning throw of 53.77 metres was way ahead of Maryke le Roux’s 46.09, and Lizel Uys’ 43.35.
Taking the lead right from the starter’s gun, Namibian Agnes Samaria, outclassed her South Africa opponents to win the 800 metres in a slowish 2:06.08. Marlene Breytenbach (2:09.87) and Dorette Harmse (2:10.54) were second and third respectively.
"I have mixed feelings about winning my first 800 metres race this year. On the one hand it is nice to get the season off to a winning start. On the other hand, l had expected the South Africans to challenge me when l took the lead at the beginning of the race.
"Unfortunately, they seemed content sitting back and waiting to sprint at the finish. You cannot run fast times like that. I am disappointed," said Samaria who holds the Namibian national records in 2:03.99.
"My plan this year is two fold. Firstly, l want to break the two minute barriers. Then l would like to qualify for the World Championships in (Edmonton) Canada. I want to go for the world championships with a respectable time," said the English and Physical Education teacher at Immanuel Shifidi High School in Katutura township in the Namibian capital Windhoek.
Adam Ptacek (Czech Republic) and Okkert Brits (South Africa) each vaulted to a height of 5.60 metres. However, the Czech carried the day on a count back of failed attempts. Stefan Janecek (Czech Republic) was third courtesy of a 5.50 effort. South Africa’s Surita Febbraio opened her season with a 55.27 seconds victory in the womens 400 metres hurdles
Olympic 400 metres finalist Heide Seyerling carried the day in the 100 m and 200 metres. Clocking 11.52 second in the shorter sprint, she outpaced Nigerians, Rita Onyebuchi (11.75) and Shadi Ogundemi (11.78). Seyerling blews away the field in the 200 metres, to win in 22.70 seconds. Ogundemi was a distant second in 23.78, while Leanie Hall was third in 23.82.
LEADING RESULTS
Note: All athletes are South African unless where mentioned.
MEN
100m ‘A’ (+2.4)
1 Nnamdi Anusim (Nigeria) 10.34
2 Radek Zachoval (Czech Republic) 10.34
3 Bradley Agnew 10.37
100m ‘B’ (+1.8)
1 Stephen Louw (Namibia) 10.48
2 Uche Olise (Nigeria) 10.51
3 Peter Rakgantsho 10.70
200m (+2.8)
1 Radek Zachoval (Czech Republic) 20.10
2 Corne du Plessis 20.62
3 Bradley Agnew 20.75
4 Josef van de Linde 20.83
5 Nnamdi Anusim (Nigeria) 20.89
200m ‘B’
1 Martin Brinarski (Slovakia) 20.94
2 M van der Merwe 21.44
3 Francois Maasdorp 21.45
400m ‘A’
1 Adriaan Botha 46.10
2 Marcus la Grange 46.21
3 Jopie Van Outdshoorn 46.32
400m ‘B’
1 Salem Alameeri (Bahrain) 49.29
2 Latif Mufute (Nigeria) 49.32
3 Besin Malemene 49.85
110m Hurdles (+2.70)
1 Shaun Bownes 13.39
2 Ramon Sebrle 13.87
3 Jacques Greyling 14.16
800m ‘A’
1 Johan Botha 1:48.45
2 Dmitry Bogdanov (Russia) 1:48.54
3 Werner Botha 1:48.93
800m ‘B’
1 Thabo Thobelangope 1:52.48
2 Charles Tofa 1:52.50
3 Kgomotoso Mantata 1:53.25
3000m
1 Hendrik Ramaala 8:13.95
2 Aaron Gabonewe 8:15.23
3 Solomon Khambule 8:17.49
Long Jump
1 Roman Sebrle (Czech) 7.84
2 Felix Kotze 7.76
3 Johan Stroh 7.63
High Jump
1 Malcom Hendriks 2.20
2 Eugene Ernesta (Seychelles) 2.15
3 Salem Salem (Bahrain) 2.05
Pole Vault
1 Adam Ptacek (Czech Republic) 5.60
2 Okkert Brits 5.60
3 Stefan Janecek (Czech Republic) 5.50
WOMEN
100m (+1.59)
1 Heide Seyerling 11.52
2 Rita Onyebuchi (Nigeria) 11. 75
3 Shade Ogundemi (Nigeria) 11.78
400m Hurdles
1 Surita Febbraio 55.27
2 Vanessa Becker 57.61
3 Dominique Koster 58.11
800m
1 Agnes Samaria (Namibia) 2:06.08
2 Marlene Breytenbach 2:09.86
3 Dorette Harmse 2:10.54
1500m
1 Rene Kalmer 4:21.47
2 Carlien Cornelissen 4:22.11
3 Zanelle Grobler 4:29.20
3000m
1 Sibongile Ngcongwane 10:19.2
2 Azwindini Lukhwareni 10:36.5
3 Phororo Azinathi 10:57.6
Pole Vault
1 Paula Hamakova (Czech Republic) 4.40
2 Elmarie Gerryts 4.20
3 Marna Jacobs 3.60
Javelin
1 Lindy Levean (Seychelles) 53.77
2 Marika le Roux 46.09
3 Lizel Uys 43.35
Discus
1 Valentina Ivanova (Russia) 65.12
2 Elizna Naude 57.14
3 Rhona Dwinger 44.24
