The last national athletics championship of the year opened with a bang on Friday, as South Africa's youngest rising track and field stars flaunted their talent on Day 1 of the 2024 ASA Sub-Youth Championships in Bloemfontein.
Jeorge Pretorius, representing Central Gauteng Athletics (CGA), produced one of the best performances of the day, landing at 5.46m in the boys 11 long jump final and setting a new meeting record.
Rayden Fienies grabbed the silver medal with a leap of 5.05m, in the colours of Athletics North West North (ANWN) and Wiehan Harding took bronze for KwaZulu-Natal Athletics (KZNA) with a 4.92m jump.
There was also a meeting record set in the boys 13 1500m walk, with gold medallist Costodio Muvale (CGA) clocking 7:40.80 to hold off a challenge from Liam Anslin of Athletics Central North West (ACNW), who was just four hundredths of a second off the pace, crossing the line in 7:40.84. Muvale and Anslin both broke the previous meeting record, while Alwabe Moleka held on for third place in 8:07.25 in the colours of Athletics Transkei (ATRA).
Other gold medallists on the day included Chelsea van Dyk (CGA), who won the girls 13 800m in 2:16.16, while her provincial teammate Mahlatse Mamonyane took the girls 11 1200m title in 3:49.27.
Hendriette Lourie won the girls 11 long jump for Athletics Mpumalanga (AMPU) with a 4.88m leap and Lolani Janse van Vuuren (ACNW) secured gold in the girls 13 1500m walk in 7:57.03.
Among the boys, Mantle Tsehlana won the boys 13 800m final for host province Athletics Free State (AFS), stopping the clock at 2:09.22, while Johnathan Matthew (AFS) took the boys 11 1200m in 3:39.11.
In the first-round heats of the boys' 13 200m event, Divan Pullen (22.70) and Kamohelo Letebele (22.88) both dipped under the previous meeting record. They set up what should be a thrilling half-lap final in their age group to be contested on Saturday.
The main programme was shortened on the opening day of competition, with the morning session reserved for the launch of the Kids Athletics which was led by a spectacular opening ceremony.
The Kids Athletics programme has been introduced by global body World Athletics and adopted by Athletics South Africa. This project is aimed at using the power of athletics to inspire children and young people to be more active, develop their skills and confidence, and to connect with the sport for life.
The second day of the ASA Sub-Youth Athletics Championships will feature a full programme of track and field action starting at 8.30am on Saturday at Free State Athletics Stadium.
The two-day championships will be broadcast live on SuperSport Schools on television and the app.
"It's amazing how these kids at this very age are so competitive and how they show understanding of the spirit of athletics. We want them to make friends and enjoy themselves while performing in front of spectators. The crowds were amazing," said James Moloi, the President of Athletics South Africa.
Story: Athletics South Africa
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