CGA athletes back on track

Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA) had a good start to the year by hosting the first track and field meeting of the 2016 season, on January 9, at the Germiston Stadium.

“It was a great day, filled with athletes challenging themselves and working towards the SA Championships set to take place in April,” said CGA’s Mbalenhle Ngema.

Among those challenging themselves were Germiston Callies athletes Kayla Gilbert, Pedro Aaron, Lemuel Klaasen and Shane Lottering.

• Gilbert won the senior women’s long jump and 100m hurdles.
• Aaron won the youth boys’ long jump.
• Klaasen won the youth boys’ 100m and 200m sprint events.
• Lottering won the boys’ sub-youth 100m hurdles.

“I am very pleased with the results; our athletes really made us proud,” said the local athletes’ coach, Stephané Kotzé.

“This was a great start, such impressive results at the very first event are a sign of a great year ahead.”

Opening up the day was the competitive 3 000m track event.

“In the senior women’s category, Cornelia Joubert finished first, in 10 minutes and six seconds, and Siphiwe Tefo was the first senior man, in eight minutes and 38 seconds,” said Ngema.

Both athletes said they are good and ready for the 2016 season and have put much effort into training to improve their performances.

“I am working towards being selected for the Olympics in Rio and I am striving to improve my personal best,” said Joubert.

“I have been working hard to get back to the game after an injury I sustained, but I am very impressed with my performance in the 3 000m event,” said Tefo.

“I feel confident about going back to 1 500m and, hopefully, I will qualify for it for the SA Championships.”

“With the level of performance expected to excel as the season progresses, it promises to be an interesting one,” said Ngema.

“CGA is confident that this year promises great results all round.”

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