Staff Reporter.
Wayde van Niekerk has been forced to withdraw from the ASA Senior Track and Field Championships in Cape Town this week after picking up a hamstring injury.
Van Niekerk, who arrived in Bloemfontein last week from his base in the United States, had been entered in the 100m and 200m events for the national championships at Green Point Stadium.
With a packed international season on the cards, however, including the World Championships, African Championships and Commonwealth Games, Van Niekerk and his team opted to pull out this week in order to ensure he was ready for his overseas campaign.
“I’m disappointed to have to withdraw from the national championships (starting on Thursday). I was excited to compete this week, but unfortunately things have not been going my way the last few weeks,” Van Niekerk said.
“But my spirits are still high and I’m going to keep putting in the hard work. For now I’m looking forward to getting back to work and doing what needs to be done.
“Thanks to everyone for the love and support, and I’m looking forward to the rest of the season.”
Meanwhile watching South Africa’s youngest female sprint champion crowned and possibly a new record in the 100m-hurdles are two highlights that fans could look forward to during the South African Athletics Championships in Cape Town.
Judging by the results this season, female athletics in South Africa is on the rise. The 17-year-old Viwe Jinggqui and the 19-year-old Marione Fourie are two main protagonists in this revival.
Both of them have already achieved remarkable feats this season. Jingqui (TuksSport High School) bettered two of the oldest South African records by running 23.03s in the 200 metres and 11.22s over 100 metres. Both records had been on the “books” for decades.
In 1982, Evette de Klerk ran 23.30s to set a South African youth record (under-18) in the 200 metres. Mari-Lise Furstenburg ran 11.56s over 100 metres in November 1983. Jingqui broke the 100-metre under-18 record three times in one day during the South African Junior and Youth Championships in Potchefstroom.
The Tuks athlete is currently the fifth fastest under-20-athlete globally in the 200 metres and the fourth fastest over 100 metres.