SA contribute 12 for Continental Cup

South Africa could have contributed more athletes to the showpiece on September 13 and 14, but only one athlete from any one country may compete in each individual event.

The country reclaimed the African Senior Athletics Championship title earlier this month in Marrakech, where the team won 19 medals, consisting of 10 gold, five silver, and four bronze.

The South African athletes include two recently crowned Commonwealth Games champions, 400m hurdler Cornel Fredericks, and triple jumper Khotso Mokoena.

Also featuring among South Africa’s 10 gold medallists that automatically qualified for the Continental Cup are javelin queen Sunette Viljoen and 400m hurdler Wenda Nel.

Women’s 100m hurdler Rikenette Steenkamp, Commonwealth Games long jump silver medallist Zarck Visser, pole vaulter Cheyne Rahme, shot putter Orazio Cremona and discus thrower Victor Hogan will be going as Africa’s best in their respective events.

Viljoen, the silver medallist at the 2010 Continental Cup in Split, Croatia, claimed her fifth African crown in Marrakech.

South African 400m record holder Wayde van Niekerk is set to continue his stellar season after making the cut as best runner up along with hammer thrower Chris Harmse.

Although 110m hurdler Ruan de Vries finished in fourth place at the African Championships, he has been included thanks to a Nigerian clean sweep in his specialist event.

South African athletes: Sunette Viljoen (javelin) Wenda Nel (400mh), Rikenette Steenkamp (100mh), Wayde van Niekerk (400m/4x400m), Ruan de Vries (110mh), Cornel Fredericks (400mh), Zarck Visser (long jump), Khotso Mokoena (triple jump), Cheyne Rahme (pole vault), Chris Harmse (hammer throw) Orazio Cremona (shot put), Victor Hogan (discus).

– Sapa