Simbine and Tshite reach semi-finals at World Championships 

Simbine and Tshite reach semi-finals at World Championships 

Sprinter Akani Simbine and middle-distance runner Tshepo Tshite delivered good performances for the SA team at the World Athletics Championships in Budapest, Hungary on Saturday. They progressed to the second round of their respective events on Day One.

Simbine won his 100m heat in 9.97 seconds, clocking the third-fastest time in the opening round. He booked his place in the semifinals to be held on Sunday.

“I’m really happy to get that first run out the way, and to get a win,” Simbine told Athletics SA.

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“I’m just trusting my running pattern, and how I race, and the shape that I’m in, and it’s paying off. I feel good for tomorrow, for the semifinals and the final.”

Fellow sprinters Benjamin Richardson (10.17) and Shaun Maswanganyi (10.21) both finished fourth in their 100m heats. They narrowly missed out on places in the penultimate round.

AKANI SIMBINE AND TSHEPO TSHITE SHINE AT WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIPS

Meanwhile, Tshite took second spot in his 1 500m heat in 3:47.79. He will turn out again in the semi-finals on Sunday night.

“The race went well. It was tactical but the most important thing for me was to be in the top six (in order to reach the next round) regardless of the time. So I’m really happy,” Tshite said.

Akani Simbine and Tshepo Tshite shine at the World Athletics Championships
Tshepo Tshite

His compatriot, Ryan Mphahlele, was 10th in his 1 500m heat in 3:39.16 and was eliminated ahead of the semi-finals.

In other events on the opening day of competition, Carina Viljoen ended 12th in her 1 500m heat (4:11.02). She was unable to progress beyond the first round.

Burger Lambrechts and Kyle Blignaut were knocked out in the qualifying round of the men’s shot put. Lambrechts was 24th overall with a 19.52m throw and Blignaut settled for 34th position (18.82m).

Former World Championships finalist Victor Hogan was 27th overall in the qualifying round of the men’s discus throw (61.80m) and he too missed out on the final.

Schedule of South African athletes, Day 2 Sunday, 20 August:

Morning session:

9.35am – 400m heats, women (Marli Viljoen, Miranda Coetzee, Zeney van der Walt)

10.25am – 400m heats, men (Wayde van Niekerk, Zakithi Nene, Lythe Pillay)

10.30am – discus throw qualification, women (Yolandi Stander)

1.05pm – 110m hurdles heats, men (Antonio Alkana)

Evening session:

4.35pm – 100m semifinals, men (Akani Simbine)

5.30pm – 1 500m semifinals, men (Tshepo Tshite)

6.25pm – 10 000m final, men (Adriaan Wildschutt)

7.10pm – 100m final, men (Akani Simbine)

ASA announces 36-member team for World Athletics Championship

ASA announces 36-member team for World Athletics Championship

Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine will lead the SA team at the World Athletics Championships starting in Budapest, Hungary next week. Athletics South Africa named a strong national team on Tuesday.

The team includes a total of 36 athletes made of 24 men and 12 women who will represent South Africa at the 19th edition of the international track and field showpiece.

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Van Niekerk, who won 400m gold at the 2015 and 2017 World Championships, has been in good form this year after recovering from a serious near- career-ending injury and the world record holder will be targeting a medal.

Simbine, the SA 100m record holder, will be equally eager to step on the podium after narrowly missing out on a medal at the last three editions of the World Championships. He will also spearhead the national 4x100m relay team.

WAYDE VAN NIEKERK AND AKANI SIMBINE LEAD SA TEAM

They will be joined by the likes of African 110m hurdles record holder Antonio Alkana, former World Championships finalist Victor Hogan (discus throw), Olympic finalist Kyle Blignaut (shot put), in-form sprinter Shaun Maswanganyi (100m/200m), and former Diamond League meeting winners Zakithi Nene (400m) and Luxolo Adams (200m).

In addition, Simbine and Maswanganyi will spearhead a strong SA 4x100m relay team.

Among a relatively young women’s contingent, most athletes will be looking to gain valuable experience at the highest level as they look to punch above their weight against the world’s best.

ASA announces 36-member team for World Athletics Championship led by Wayde van Niekerk and Akani Simbine
Akani Simbine

WORLD ATHLETICS CHAMPIONSHIP IN FOR MORE SURPRISES?

Some athletes will also be aiming to spring a surprise by giving their opposition a shake, led by the likes of Commonwealth Games medallist Zeney van der Walt (400m hurdles), SA record holder Marione Fourie (100m hurdles) and middle-distance prospect Prudence Sekgodiso (800m).

“Our team is out and it’s time to go and showcase what they have fought so much for,” said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa. “These are the warriors we are sending to battle and to hold the flag high.

“We believe in them and we encourage them to do the same. As they go along with the battle they must also enjoy themselves in the process, but this is no holiday.”

The nine-day World Athletics Championships will be held in Budapest between 19-27 August 2023.

The Team will depart from OR Tambo International Airport on Monday 14 August. They will return on Tuesday 29 August 2023.

Nominees for the 2022 South African Sport Awards revealed 

Nominees for the 2022 South African Sport Awards revealed 

The Department of Sport, Arts and Culture Minister Zizi Kodwa has announced the return of the 16th edition of the South African Sport Awards (SASA). The awards will be held on Saturday 25 March, 2023 Sun City Superbowl in the North West Province.

Some noatble nominees include Mamelodi Sundowns ladies goalkeeper Andile Dlamini nominated for Sports Stars of the year alongside Ashleigh Buhai and Mathew Sates. The awards carry a total of 19 categories including the Sport Star of the Year award and the People’s Choice Athlete of the Year award.

All categories recognise performances from the individuals, teams and administrators of the South African sporting fraternity for the period under review 01 September 2021-31 August 2022.

Minister Kodwa in his nominees reveal remarks indicated the following:

“The South African Sport Awards serves to recognise and honour individuals and teams within the Sporting fraternity who have excelled both on and off the field of Sport. This prestigious recognition event will be delivered under the theme ‘Celebrating sporting excellence.”

South African Sport Awards Nominees 

SPORT ADMINISTRATOR OF THE YEAR    
Portia Dimu
Sibongile Fondini
Cornelia Swanepoel

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR
Michaela Whitebooi
Lara Van Niekerk
 Shabnim Ismael

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR
Akani Simbine
Andy Birkett
Pieter Coetzee

SPORTSMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
Jonathan Ntutu
Donald Ramphadi
Christian Sadie

SPORTSWOMAN OF THE YEAR WITH A DISABILITY
Cornelle Leach
Kat Swanepoel
Minke Janse Van Rensburg

COACH OF THE YEAR

Neil Powell
Hilton Moreeng
Rocco Meiring

SPORTS JOURNALIST OF THE YEAR
Thato Moeng
Hloni Mthimkhulu
Mathews Mpete

PHOTOGRAPHER OF THE YEAR
Samkelo Gambushe
Ronnie Tippett
Steve Haag

NEWCOMER OF THE YEAR
Simnikiwe Bongco
Marco Jansen
Mustapha Cassiem

VOLUNTEER OF THE YEAR
Joy Goulooze (Life saving)
Zizo Popu (Eastern Cape)
Marissa Potgieter (Para-Sport Classifier)

SPORTS STAR OF THE YEAR
Andile Dlamini
Ashleigh Buhai
Mathew Sates

TEAM OF THE YEAR
Banyana Banyana
Proteas Women ODI
SA Rugby 7s

FEDERATION OF THE YEAR
Cricket South Africa
South African National Boxing Organisation
South African Sport Association for The Physically Disabled

RECREATION BODY OF THE YEAR
Peace Players SA
Waves For Change
Color Run SA

INDIGENOUS GAME TEAM  
Limpopo-Ncuva
KZN-Khoko
Eastern Cape- Drie Stokkies

SCHOOL TEAM OF THE YEAR
Edendale THS (Women’s football)
Drostdy High School (Tug of war)
St Benedict’s College (Rowing)

DEVELOPING SCHOOL OF THE YEAR
Kopanong Primary School (Cricket)
Madiba-A-Toloana (Rowing)
Helen Frans Special School (Wheelchair Tennis)

PEOPLE’S CHOICE AWARD (this category Sport fans are encouraged to participate by voting for their athlete of choice by dialling *120*32020# followed by an alphabet representing your athlete of choice) and the nominees are:
A. Refiloe Jane
B. Ayabonga Khakha
C. Tatjana Schoenmaker  
D. Themba Zwane
E. Kagiso Rabada