It was also a welcomed return to elite competition four months before the Olympic Games in Tokyo, Japan for many athletes whose preparations had been frustrated by a continuous lockdown the government necessitated by the Covid 19 pandemic.
In a highly anticipated battle of the day, Commonwealth champion Akani Simbine showcased his class by storming to victory in the men’s 100m sprint. Though he was pushed slightly by a +2.1m/s tailwind, just outside the legal limit of +2.0m/s for an official time, Simbine did well to open his 2021 season with an unofficial 10.00.
Just behind him, Luxolo Adams again displayed his potential in the short sprint, taking second place in 10.08.
In the second 100m heat, 18-year-old Olebogeng Tlhapi took the win in 10.33 (+2.9m/s).
In the 400m event, African Games relay gold medallist Ditiro Nzamani of Botswana won the race in 45.27, while South African sprinter Lythe Pillay grabbed second spot, with the rising junior star clocking 45.55 seconds and narrowly missing his personal best of 45.53.
As expected, former world champion Amantle Montsho of Botswana dominated the women’s 400m race in 53.78, with compatriot Oratile Nowe taking the runner-up spot in 53.99.
Long jumper Cheswill Johnson landed at 8.14m to win a hard-fought event, with three men sailing beyond eight metres. Divan Manuel took second place (8.02m) and Jovan van Vuuren finished third (8.01m).
Former world junior champion Kyle Blignaut won the men’s shot put with a big 20.85m heave, with Jason van Rooyen also flaunting his form into second place (20.24m).
Elsewhere, in the women’s javelin throw, African record holder Sunette Viljoen produced a 58.00m effort to edge out former European junior champion Nikol Tabackova of the Czech Republic (57.15m).
Boipelo Tshemese was quickest in the women’s 100m sprint, crossing the line in 11.45 (+3.0m/s), Antonio Alkana took the men’s 110m hurdles in 13.69, while Tshepo Tshite won the men’s 800m race in 1:46.99, and 19-year-old Prudence Sekgodiso took the women’s 800m race in 2:08.57.
EVENT DATES: ASA Athletix Invitational Meet powered by AVANTI – Leg 2
| Date: | Venue: |
| Tuesday 30 March 2021 | Ruimsig Athletics Stadium (Roodepoort) |
Image (Akani Simbine beats Luxolo Adams to win the 100m men’s final on Tuesday).
