WAYDE CHARGES THROUGH TO 200 METRES SHOWPIECE FINAL
Johannesburg, Thursday, 22 July 2010 – Team SA sprint sensation Wayde van Niekerk is officially one of the top 8 fastest junior speedsters over 200 metres in the world, following his performance in the semi-finals at the 13th IAAF World Junior Championships in a rainy Moncton, Canada today.
The Free State-based Grey College grade 11 pupil has set his sights on dipping under the 21 second barrier the sooner the better and his evening semi-final time of 21.05 was not only his career best, but also the third fastest time in the three semi-final races.
“I honestly that felt that I ran the bend better in the morning heats when I clocked 21.10 so I know what to work on ahead of Friday’s final. I drifted a bit wide on the bend in the semi-final but that shows me that if I can get it right in the final I can go under 21 seconds. Moncton is at the coast but the conditions are the same for me as they are for the other sprinters, so I don’t want to get drawn into coastal vs altitude sprint discussions.”
“Some of the world’s top junior sprinters were eliminated based on disqualifications during the morning heats so the race for honours in the 200 metres has opened up quite a bit.”
Regarding his future, van Niekerk added: “I still have to complete my matric next year but I am a creative person so I would imagine I would end up studying something in the line of graphic design in the years ahead.”
While Justine Palframan may have been eliminated in the semi-finals of the 200 metres, she certainly did not disgrace herself in clocking a brisk 24.09 to finish 6th in her race. The 16-year-old KwaZulu Natal sprinter – the youngest member of Team SA – will still be eligible for the national team for the 2012 IAAF World Junior Championships in Spain and it is clear that sports runs in her and her family’s blood. Apart from being an accomplished provincial level schools swimmer in the freestyle events, her father is the cousin of former SA Proteas and Border wicketkeeper Steve Palframan.
Meanwhile Team SA’s long jump gold medallist Luvo Manyonga wiped tears from his eyes as he stood on top of the medal podium during the playing of SA’s national anthem this evening.
Manyonga (with a winning leap of 7.99 metres) and Potchefstroom-based Tazmin Brits (bronze in the javelin with a throw of 54.55 metres) brought home two medals within 30 minutes of each other on Wednesday night.
Team SA’s campaign in Canada is made possible through the loyal support of the National Lottery Distribution Trust Fund.
For further information, please contact:
Richard Stander
ASA Assistant Administrator: Athletes Affairs
Cellular: 072 347 8964
Paul Martin (in Canada with Team SA)
ASA Assistant Administrator: Communications
Cellular: 082 780 1744
ENDS
