Javelin thrower Jo-Ane van Dyk at the Paris Olympics. Picture: Patrick Smith/Getty Images
Javelin thrower Jo-Ane van Dyk delivered a stunning performance on Saturday night, lifting South Africa’s tally to six medals at the Paris Olympics.
Van Dyk, a four-time African Championships medallist, launched a 63.93m heave with her second attempt in the final, landing the spear just 29cm short of the personal best (64.22m) she set in the qualifying round earlier in the week.
She took second place behind Japanese athlete Haruka Kitaguchi, who won gold with a first-round throw of 65.80m.
“I hoped for it and I’m just amazed. I knew what some of the other girls were capable of, and up until the last throw you can’t be sure of anything… so I’m just happy. I’m happy for our country and for the team,” Van Dyk said.
Meanwhile, in the men’s 4x400m relay final, the SA quartet – Gardeo Isaacs, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay and Antonie Nortje – set a national record of 2:58.12 to take fifth position.
Missing the services of 400m world record holder Wayde van Niekerk, the squad finished more than two seconds outside a place on the podium, but they obliterated the 13-year-old national mark of 2:59.21.
The United States won gold in an Olympic record of 2:54.43 and Botswana bagged silver in an African record of 2:54.53.
In the men’s high jump final, 20-year-old Brian Raats cleared 2.17m, but he failed with all three attempts at 2.22m, settling for 12th position.
Earlier, in the men’s marathon, Elroy Gelant finished 11th in 2:09:07 and Stephen Mokoka was 27th in 2:10:59.
Elsewhere on Saturday, paddler Hamish Lovermore ended eighth in his kayak singles semifinal in 3:33.89.
Lovemore went on to win the B final in 3:27.94, a time which would have given him fourth place in the A final.
In the women’s golf tournament, Ashleigh Buhai finished in a tie for 13th place on three-under par after shooting two-under 70 in the final round.
Her compatriot, Paula Reto, closed the fourth round in a tie for 44th position on 11-over par.
And on the wrestling mat, Steyn de Lange was defeated by Givi Matcharashvili of Georgia in the 1/8 finals of the men’s 97kg division.
Track cyclist Jean Spies settled for sixth place in his race in the first round of the men’s keirin competition. Spies went on to finish fifth in his repechage race and he was eliminated ahead of the quarterfinals.
With one day of competition remaining at the Paris Games, the SA team had raked in a total of six medals including one gold, three silver and two bronze.
Closing out the national team’s campaign in the French capital, three South African athletes – Gerda Steyn, Irvette van Zyl and Cian Oldknow – will turn out in the women’s marathon at 8am on Sunday morning.
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