Antonio Alkana was on a mission for redemption on the second day of the SA Athletics Championships in Cape Town on Friday.
At last year’s championships, the African record holder clattered into the final hurdle and finished a disappointing fourth.
But on Friday, no barriers could stop Alkana from reclaiming the national crown. The two-time Olympian powered to victory in 13.48 seconds for a seventh victory in the event, his first national title coming back in 2013.
“It was a good race. Last year I came fourth so I just redeemed myself again. I’m the record holder so I don’t think I need to come in those positions at SA champs. So, it was good to win again, “said a relieved Alkana afterwards.
It was the 32-year-old’s third race in two days after his heat had to be rerun when officials placed the hurdles in the incorrect position, causing chaos on the track.
“Yesterday was a mess with that first heat. They were better conditions than today though… but I don’t think that really affected me. As soon as I’m on the line I forget about any conditions.”
The women’s 100m hurdles also had a clear winner in 19-year-old defending champion Marione Fourie. She crossed the line over half a second in front of Charlize Eilerd, but wasn’t too pleased with her time of 13.43 seconds.
“The wind was a little bit too strong but it’s not the end of the world. I’m just going to run my best at the African champs and see what happens.”
Meanwhile, the 200m semifinals produced an impressively speedy performance from Clarence Munyai.
The 24-year-old blasted to the finish in 20.03 seconds. That’s a time that would have placed him third-fastest in the world this year, but the blustery Cape Town tailwind meant the time, which was also a World Championships qualifier, was not deemed legal.
“That’s alright. I came here for the title,” said a philosophical Munyai, who will be up against the likes of Luxolo Adams and Sinesipho Dambile in the hotly anticipated final on Saturday.
“I just have to execute each race at a time, I came here to the semi and ran a 20.03 and I’m really excited – that just gives me more energy for the final,” added Munyai.
“They [Adams and Dambile] ran really well, but I don’t race against anyone, I run against myself. I’ve got to focus on my own thing and do what I have to do, execute my race and it should be good.”
Better known for her prowess over two laps, Prudence Sekgodiso claimed the title in the women’s 1500m in 4:16.38.
“Things went according to the plan. I ran a PB there so I’m excited. The plan was to go hard because I’m only running again tomorrow afternoon. I’m really an 800m runner so I just do this for training,” admitted the newly crowned champion who will be looking to defend her 800m title on Saturday.
Nkosinathi Sibiya took the men’s 1 500m title in 3:39.62.
Ashley Smith successfully defended his national title in the men’s 3 000m steeple chase, winning in a time of 8:43.20.
“The build-up wasn’t ideal. I struggled with sinus infection and my academic priorities are also taking their toll on my body so I’m just grateful to come out here and defend my national title,” said Smith afterwards.
“The initial plan was to try and run fast but the weather isn’t ideal so we decided just before the race that I was just going to try and defend my national title and hopefully from here build forward for the rest of the season.”
Chenique Sas gave everything to hold on for the win in the women’s 3 000m steeple chase final in 10:43.72.
Veteran Victor Hogan, bagged the discus gold with a throw of 61.49m for an incredible 10th national title while Kyle Blignaut took top honours in the shot put with a heave of 20.09m. Mpho Links’s clearance of 2.25m earned him high jump gold.
Leandri Geel won the women’s hammer throw with a distance of 59.70m while Patience Ntshingila took triple jump gold with a leap of 12.82m while a jump of 6.22m handed Danielle Nolte the long jump title.