Southern Africa Regional 2000m boys' steeplechase champion Virgina Ngudlumana (South Africa) in Madagascar (© Mark Ouma)
Over the course of last weekend (13/14 May) the African Southern Region Youth Track and Field Championships at the Alarobia Municipal Stadium in Antananarivo, Madagascar.
Day One
Sprinters Wilhelm van der Vyver, Hendrik Maartens, crowned a day of unparalleled success as South Africa scooped all gold medals on the opening day.
Van der Vyver blew away the field to win the boys’ 100m in 10.4 seconds. Oozing with confidence he had only one thing in mind for the 200m. “Victory is assured. All I want to do is improve on my career best (20.91),” says Van der Vyver.
Maartens surged on the back straight and went on to win the 400m in 47.8. “This is a fast track. If I had stronger challengers I would have clocked a sub 47 seconds,” says Maarten.
Although a comfortable winner in the boy’s High Jump Roelof van Wyk (1.95) feels he could have achieved more. “I strained my right ankle a week ago and that contributed to my failed attempt at breaking my career best of 2.05m. I want to improve on this later this year,” Van Wyk revealed.
South Africa’s gold rush was triggered by Abongile Lerotholi’s (4:38.3) victory in the Girls’ 1500m on the day’s opening event. “Initially the race appeared to be a tactical affair. I did not want to be taken by surprise so made my move early. It is great to win after I finished fourth at the Africa Junior Championships in Tunisia last year,” says a delighted Lerotholi.
Elsewhere Siphelele Luthuli surged on the back straight and went on to win the girl’s 400m in 56.9. Birthday girl Charlie Jansen (57.8) was runner up as Madagascar’s Andrianina Lantotiana (1:00.5) was placed third in. “I am glad to win a gold medal in my first international event,” says Luthuli.
Winners in the boys events included Dumisane Hlaselo (1500m), Riaan Fredericks (triple jump), Cornel Fredericks (400m Hurdles), and Victor Hogan (discus). Other gold medallist in the girl’s events were Bevan Smith (100m), Anneri Ebersohn (400m hurdles), and Michelle Cornelius (triple jump).
Day Two
Shot putter Orazio Cremona crowned South Africa’s dominance on Day Two (14 May).
Cremona comfortably won the event with a heave of 18.29m. Julien Baptiste (Mauritius) was runner up with a 15.40m effort ahead of South Africa’s Victor Hogan (14.84).
“Victory at my first national championship and now here in Madagascar has convinced me that I have a future in athletics. So besides my education, I will concentrate on my Shot Put and see what I can achieve on the international scene,” says Cremona.
South Africa’s Celeste Rietel echoed a similar sentiment after she edged her more fancied compatriot Bevin Smith at the tape to win the girls 200m. Rietel clocked 24.5 to Smith’s 24.6.
“It has been a new and pleasant experience traveling outside my country, meeting friendly people and winning this race. All this has happened quickly. I have not though about what comes next. However, I am sure about one thing. I am hooked onto athletics,” says a delighted Rietel.
Medline Zelia (Seychelles) denied South Africa a clean sweep of the gold medals at the two day event when she won the girl’s High Jump with a 1.55m clearance. “This is my best performance ever. I hope one day to break our senior national record,” says Zelia.
Elsewhere South Africa won all other events with some notable performances in the boy’s contest. Charlie Muller (70.69m) won in javelin, Andre Olivier (1:49.9) in 800m Wilhelm van der Vyver (21.3) in 200m, and Virgina Ngujdlumana (6:13.9) in 2000m steeplechase. Maryke Oberholzer (42.54) won the girl’s discus.
Mark Ouma for the IAAF
RESULTS
SELECTED LEADING RESULTS
NOTE: Only results from completed events included.
NR denotes National Record
PB denotes Personal Best
NWR denotes no wind reading
Day ONE
BOYS
100m (+1.2)
1 Wilhelm van der Vyver (South Africa) 10.4
2 Rene Patrick Heriniaina (Madagascar) 11.0
3 Christopher Laurencine (Seychelles) 11.0
400m
1 Hendrik Maartens (South Africa) 47.8
2 Cursy L’Enclume (Mauritius) 49.6
3 Kersley Bru (Mauritius) 49.9
400m Hurdles
1Cornel Fredericks (South Africa) 52.6
2 Philani Nkosi (South Africa) 57.9
3 Patrick Rajaonarison (Madagascar) 1:00.7
1500m
1 Dumisani Hlaselo (South Africa) 3:59.0
2 Bruno Borneuf (Mauritius) 4:11.9
3 Joeson Rakotondrabe (Madagascar) 4:12.8
Triple Jump
1 Riaan Arendse (South Africa) 14.36 (-0.6)
2 Jose Mariolla Ramananajatovo (Madagascar) 12.94 (-0.5)
2 Rudy Luximon (Mauritius) 12.75 (+0.2)
High Jump
1Roelof van Wyk (South Africa) 1.95m
Discus
1Victor Hogan (South Africa) 54.57
2 Cremona Orazio (South Africa) 50.52
3 Julien Baptiste (Mauritius) 39.19
GIRLS
100m (-0.5)
1 Bevin Smith (South Africa) 12.0
2 Claudine Jansen (South Africa) 12.2
3 Natanielle Cherry (Seychelles) 12.3
400m
1 Siphelele Luthuli (South Africa) 56.9
2 Cherilee Jansen (South Africa) 57.5
3 Andrianina Lantotiana (Madagascar) 1:55.5
400m Hurdles
1 Anneri Ebersohn (South Africa) 1:01.7
2 Miarantsoa Randriamananjara (Madagascar) 1:12.5
3 Estella Arisony (Madagascar) 1:19.4
1500m
1 Abongile Lerotholi (South Africa) 4:38.3
2 Rolina Machavaphala (South Africa) 440.4
3 Chantal Velonddraivololonirina (Madagascar) 4:45.2
Triple Jump
1 Michelle Cornelius (South Africa) 11.54 (-1.0)
2 Janet Boniface (Seychelles) 10.79 (-1.0)
3 Géralda Vavy 9.95 (+0.5)
Shot Put
1 Line Barnard (South Africa) 12.53
Day TWO
SELECTED LEADING RESULTS
BOYS
100m (+1.2)
1 Wilhelm van der Vyver (South Africa) 10.4
2 Rene Patrick Heriniaina (Madagascar) 11.0
3 Christopher Laurencine (Seychelles) 11.0
200m (+0.5)
1 Wilhelm van der Vyver (South Africa) 21.3
2 Cursy Lénclume (Mauritius) 22.1
3 Christopher Laurencine (Seychelles) 22.4
400m
1 Hendrik Maartens (South Africa) 47.8
2 Cursy L’Enclume (Mauritius) 49.6
3 Kersley Bru (Mauritius) 49.9
110m Hurdles (-1.1)
1 Herklas Gordon (South Africa) 13.5
2 Rudy Luximon (Mauritius) 14.7
3 Tahina Rakotozandriny (Madagascar 16.2
400m Hurdles
1Cornel Fredericks (South Africa) 52.6
2 Philani Nkosi (South Africa) 57.9
3 Patrick Rajaonarison (Madagascar) 1:00.7
1500m
1 Dumisani Hlaselo (South Africa) 3:59.0
2 Bruno Borneuf (Mauritius) 4:11.9
3 Joeson Rakotondrabe (Madagascar) 4:12.8
2000m Steeplechase
1 Virgina Ngudlumana (South Africa) 6:13.9
2 MJ Bernard (Madagascar) 6:22.8
3 Bruno Borneuf (Mauritius) 6:31.7
3000m
1 Xolisa Tyali (South Africa) 8:51.1
2 Folavia Sehohle (South Africa) 8:51.3
3 Henry Tija Radenintany (Madagascar) 9:16.2
Long Jump
1 Jason Karolisin (South Africa) 6.99 (+1.3)
2 Olivariste Andriafanomezantsoa (Madagascar) 6.32 (+1.1)
3 Kennedy Rakotozafy (Madagascar) 5.69 (+1.7)
Triple Jump
1 Riaan Arendse (South Africa) 14.36 (-0.6)
2 Jose Mariolla Ramananajatovo (Madagascar) 12.94 (-0.5)
2 Rudy Luximon (Mauritius) 12.75 (+0.2)
High Jump
1 Roelof van Wyk (South Africa) 2.00m
Javelin
1 Charlie Muller (South Africa) 70.69
2 Julien Baptiste (Mauritius) 42.88
3 Anatole Soloarison (Madagascar) 41.01
Discus
1Victor Hogan (South Africa) 54.57
2 Cremona Orazio (South Africa) 50.52
3 Julien Baptiste (Mauritius) 39.19
Shot Put
1 Orazio Cremona (South Africa) 18.29
2 Julien Baptiste (Mauritius) 15.40
3 Victor Hogan (South Africa) 14.84
Medley Relay (100m, 200m, 300m, 400m)
1 South Africa 1:53.8
2 Mauritius 1:57.4
3 Madagascar 2:03.7
GIRLS
100m (-0.5)
1 Bevin Smith (South Africa) 12.0
2 Claudine Jansen (South Africa) 12.2
3 Natanielle Cherry (Seychelles) 12.3
200m (-0.9)
1 Celeste Rietels (South Africa) 24.5
2 Bevin Smith (South Africa) 24.6
3 Sarah-Jane Gujadhur (Mauritius) 25.8
400m
1 Siphelele Luthuli (South Africa) 56.9
2 Cherilee Jansen (South Africa) 57.5
3 Andrianina Lantotiana (Madagascar) 1:55.5
100m Hurdles (-0.3)
1 Claudia Viljoen (South Africa) 14.1
2 Camelle Tennant (Mauritius) 14.9
3 Estelle Arisony (Madagascar) 18.9
400m Hurdles
1 Anneri Ebersohn (South Africa) 1:01.7
2 Miarantsoa Randriamananjara (Madagascar) 1:12.5
3 Estella Arisony (Madagascar) 1:19.4
800m
1 Christelee Jansen (South Africa) 2:10.2
2 Chantal Velonddraivololonirina (Madagascar) 2:21.6
3 Natacha Ramanandraibe (Madagascar) 2:29.8
1500m
1 Abongile Lerotholi (South Africa) 4:38.3
2 Rolina Machavaphala (South Africa) 440.4
3 Chantal Velonddraivololonirina (Madagascar) 4:45.2
3000m
1 Praxedis Dim (South Africa) 10:07.3
2 Jane Tuge (South Africa) 10:08.8
3 Mihaja Razafinionja (Madagascar) 11:01.0
Long Jump
1 Jansen van Rensburg (South Africa) 5.31 (-0.2)
2 Andrianina Lantotiana (Madagascar) 5.09 (-1.2)
3 Janet Boniface (Seychelles) 5.02 (-0.7)
Triple Jump
1 Michelle Cornelius (South Africa) 11.54 (-1.0)
2 Janet Boniface (Seychelles) 10.79 (-1.0)
3 Géralda Vavy 9.95 (+0.5)
High Jump
1 Zelia Medline (Seychelles) 1.55
Discus
1 Maryke Oberholzer (South Africa) 42.54
Shot Put
1 Line Barnard (South Africa) 12.53
Medley Relay (100m, 200m, 300m, 400m)
1 South Africa 2:14.0
2 Madagascar 2:28.1
