By Levy Masiteng
The University of Johannesburg-hosted Central Gauteng Athletics Provincial Championships ended on Saturday, with the three-day meeting serving as an important selection platform for athletes targeting the national junior and senior championships next month.
Among the standout performances was teenager Oluchi Ndubueze, who broke the South African under-18 women’s long jump record with a leap of 6.49m, one of the most notable achievements of the championships.
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In the men’s 400m, world under-20 champion Lythe Pillay stormed to victory in 44.32 seconds, the fastest one-lap time in the world this year.
The championships also attracted top athletes from across the region, including competitors from Botswana led by Olympic 200m champion Letsile Tebogo. South African stars also featured prominently, adding quality to a strong provincial showcase.
UJ head of athletics Roger Haitengi, praised the standard of the meeting and the performances produced across the championships.
“I’ll just say it’s been amazing. The event has been spectacular and I hope we will be the number one provincial championships for the week,” Haitengi said. “There were fantastic performances, great organisation, everything was smooth and on time, and we were blessed with good weather too.”
He said the level of participation reflected the growing reputation of athletics competitions in Gauteng and their ability to attract elite competitors.
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“We’re going to have another competition on the 4th of April, and we expect a full house,” Haitengi said.
“We’re hoping to showcase good performances from the guys and give them the last preparation they need for SA’s as well as Hezekiel Sepeng’s event in Potchefstroom.”
The upcoming meeting is expected to offer athletes a final opportunity to fine-tune their form ahead of the junior championships in Germiston and the senior national championships in Stellenbosch.
