MULAUDZI AND CO LOOK TO REMAIN NO 1
Johannesburg, Sunday, 11 July 2010 –World 800 metres champion Mbulaeni Mulaudzi, Commonwealth javelin gold medallist Sunette Viljoen and All-Africa hammer throw record-holder Chris Harmse are among a 42-strong SA track and field team that will look to maintain its position at the top of the continental medal standings at the 17th CAA African Championships in Nairobi, Kenya from July 28 to August 1.
At the previous continental showpiece held in Addis Ababa, Ethiopia two years ago, SA finished top of the medal standings with a total of 22 medals (12 gold, 2 silver and 8 bronze).
Athletics heroes of the Ethiopian campaign who will make the trip to Nairobi in search of further success include defending champions Viljoen, Harmse, LJ van Zyl (400 metres hurdles) and Elizna Naude (discus throw).
Thuso Mpuang and Hannes Dreyer, are the two remaining gold medallists from SA’s 4 x 100 metres relay success in Ethiopia who will travel to Kenyan in a bid to retain their title. The rest of the relay squad comprises of Simon Magakwe, US-based Lehann Fourie and Leigh Julius.
World 800 metres champion Caster Semenya, who was cleared earlier this week to resume international competition, was not included in the national team following consultation between Athletics SA (ASA) and the athlete’s coach Michael Seme.
Semenya will work towards reaching peak condition in order to be a part of the action at the Commonwealth Games in New Delhi, India in October, with ASA assisting her in obtaining race opportunities as part of her preparations for the international event.
SA team:
Men:
Simon Magakwe (ACNW) 100m/200m
Hannes Dreyer (AGN) 100m
Ofentse Mogawane (ACNW) 400m
Mbulaeni Mulaudzi (CGA) 800m
Windy Jonas (AFS) 800m
Juan van Deventer (CGA) 1500m
Johan Cronje (AFS) 1500m
Pieter van der Westhuizen (CGA) 1500m
Tshamano Setone (CGA) 5000m
Ruben Ramolefi (CGA) 3000m steeplechase
Edwin Molepo (ACNW) 3000m steeplechase
Lehann Fourie (US-based) 110m hurdles
Ruan de Vries (AGN) 110m hurdles
Cornel Fredericks (BOLA) 400m hurdles
LJ van Zyl (AGN) 400m hurdles
Thami Hlatshwayo (AGN) 20km walk
Sors Joubert (BOLA) Decathlon
Khotso Mokoena (AGN) Long Jump
Luvo Manyionga (BOLA) Long Jump
Tumelo Thagane (ACNW) Triple Jump
Roelie Potgieter (AGN) Shot Put
Burger Lambrechts (AGN) Shot Put
Orazio Cremona (AGN) Shot Put
Victor Hogan (BOLA) Discus Throw
Chris Harmse (AFS) Hammer Throw
Hardus Pienaar (AGN) Javelin
Ulrich Damon (ACNW) Javelin Throw
Tobie Holtzhauzen (ACNW) Javelin Throw
4 x 100m relay (from): Thuso Mpuang, Leigh Julius, Simon Magakwe, Hannes Dreyer, Lehann Fourie
Women:
Estie Wittstock (AGN) 200m/400m
Carina Horn (AGN) 200m
Mapaseka Makanya (CGA) 800m
Rene Kalmer (CGA) 1500m
Wenda Theron AGN 400m
Tebogo Masehla (CGA) 3000m steeplechase
Myrette Filmalter (AGN) 3000m steeplechase
Janet Wienand (BOLA) Heptathlon
Nicole Oftner (BOLA) Heptathlon
Cindy Peters (CGA) Triple Jump
Elizna Naude (AGN) Discus Throw
Sunette Viljoen (ACNW) Javelin Throw
Justine Robbeson (ACNW) Javelin Throw
For further information, please contact:
Richard Stander (ASA: Assistant to the Administrator: Athletes Affairs)
Cellular: 072 347 8964
Paul Martin (ASA: Assistant to the Administrator: Communications)
Cellular: 082 780 1744
ENDS
