Records were broken and dreams became reality for some of ACNW (Athletics Central North West’s) finest athletes at the recently-concluded 2019 SA Track and Field Championships at the Herman Immelman Stadium in Germiston from 25 to 27 April. One of the highlights of the competition was the gold medal achievement of hammer thrower, Tshepang Makhethe, who won the SA hammer throw title for the first time in his career with a 72,25 m heave, besting the long-standing champion, Chris Harmse’s 71,70 m throw.
Makhethe not only broke his own personal best but also broke the longest- standing record in SA athletics. Chris Harmse held the SA hammer throw title for 23 consecutive years, which was a Guinness World Record for successive athletics titles. Makhethe has now taken the baton from the 45-year-old Harmse and the latter had to be satisfied with silver this time around.
“When I got that 72, it kind of cemented it a bit because I thought it would be out of Chris’ reach, and it was, so that was a relief. I am 23 and I broke a 23-year winning streak. I still can’t believe it. But I finally got the title after six years of trying,” said Makhethe afterwards.
ACNW took an overall third place with a medal tally of 21 medals (five gold, eight silver and eight bronze) just behind Central Gauteng Athletics (seven gold, six silver and six bronze) and Athletics Gauteng North (20 gold, 15 silver and ten bronze). These teams came second and first respectively.
Photos: Tobias Ginsberg
Danel Holton was also thrilled with her gold medal victory – her first at senior track and field SA Championships. Holton previously achieved a gold medal in the 400 m at the u.23 SA Track and Field Championships in 2016.
“Everything went smoothly in the final and I am thrilled with the win. I give Jesus Christ all the glory for the victory,” said Holton, who also took home a bronze medal in the 4×400 m relay.
Holton, under the coaching guidance of the world-renowned, Jean Verster, has made 2019 her year with several top performances, culminating in an SA title.
“It has been a tough couple of weeks but I worked hard to get better times and I recovered from previous injuries pretty quickly. I joined a new coach (Jean Verster) in December and it has been a great couple of months,” said Holton.
Here are the other medal winners:
Silver: Ariane Nel (200 m), Chederick van Wyk (200 m), Joné Kruger (silver), Johann Grobler (javelin), Marga Cumming (hammer), Zelda Schultz (20 km walk), Jo-Ané van Dyk (javelin), Gena Losstrand (800 m) and Men’s 4×400 m relay.
Bronze: Chederick van Wyk (100 m), Theodore Young (200 m), Tumisang Monnatlala (300 m steeplechase), Tiaan Kleynhans (110 m hurdles), Stephanie Greyling (hammer), Allan Cumming (hammer), Annette Koen (20 km walk) and Women’s 4×400 m relay (bronze).
